Africa50 Marks Eight Years of Growth.

Tuesday, 2nd September 2025

By inAfrika Reporter

In just eight years, Africa50 has grown from a single staff member to a 100-strong team managing a portfolio valued at more than $8 billion. The platform, created by African governments and the African Development Bank, now oversees $1.4 billion in managed assets and is establishing itself as a central player in addressing Africa’s $170 billion annual infrastructure financing gap. The announcement was made during the Africa50 General Shareholders Meeting held in Maputo, Mozambique, with dignitaries including President Daniel Chapo and AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina in attendance.

President Chapo underlined Mozambique’s commitment to Africa50, highlighting its role in advancing projects that boost employment and generate revenues for reinvestment in sustainable development. He praised Africa50 as a symbol of a new Africa one that prioritizes cooperation, self-reliance, and shared prosperity.

Dr. Adesina emphasized the platform’s role in innovation and creative financing, noting that the Africa Infrastructure Acceleration Fund successfully raised $275 million from over 20 African institutional investors. He described this as a significant show of confidence in Africa’s infrastructure opportunities.

Africa50 also announced new strategic agreements at the gathering. It signed a memorandum with Electricidade de Mozambique to develop three transmission lines, supporting Mozambique’s goal of universal electricity access by 2030. Another memorandum with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation will support the development of a new data centre in Maputo. On a continental scale, Africa50 sealed deals with the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa and the AfCFTA Secretariat to mobilize green investments and expand trade-enabling infrastructure.

The African Development Bank’s broader role in Mozambique was also highlighted. Over the past decade, the Bank has invested $1.6 billion in the country, financing projects such as the $20 billion LNG plant in Cabo Delgado and the Mozambique Energy for All Project, which connected over 45,000 households to electricity. Investments in agriculture, transport, and trade corridors have further boosted economic transformation.

Adesina, nearing the end of his tenure as AfDB President and Africa50 Chairman, reflected on the institution’s achievements during his leadership, including expanding capital from $93 billion to $318 billion and positively impacting 565 million people across Africa. He affirmed that Africa’s path forward requires scaling up partnerships with global and local stakeholders, stating that Africa50 remains the strongest platform to unlock capital for infrastructure development.

As he transitions out of his role, Adesina assured leaders that he will remain engaged in efforts to accelerate Africa’s development. “I will not be stepping back, I will be stepping forward in our collective drive to unlock global capital for Africa,” he said.