Investing in Africa Forum 2025 : Business as a driver of sustainable growth
L’Opinion and Cian announce the 15th edition of the Investing in Africa Forum, which will take place on April 29, 2025, in Paris. This key event brings together leading economic, political, and social stakeholders to discuss investment challenges and opportunities on the African continent. This year’s central theme, "Business as a Driver of Sustainable Growth," highlights the essential role of companies in Africa’s economic and social development.
Throughout the day, discussions will focus on current geopolitical issues and their impact on investment. Particular emphasis will be placed on key sectors such as energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, and finance. Cross-cutting topics will also be addressed, including the increasing requirements for sustainability and corporate social responsibility. The forum will provide a unique opportunity to meet French companies investing in Africa and to engage with African delegations eager to strengthen their partnerships.
Under the high patronage of President Emmanuel Macron, the event will begin with a welcome address followed by an interview with Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Minister and President of the Prospective & Innovation Foundation. The morning will feature a roundtable dedicated to the new global geopolitical landscape and the challenges posed by international tensions for African exports and French investments on the continent. A deeper discussion will follow, focusing on the obstacles and levers that can help French companies strengthen their presence in Africa.
Infrastructure and energy will be at the heart of the discussions
Infrastructure and energy will be central to the discussions, with a dedicated roundtable on the conditions for successful projects and existing financing solutions. Particular attention will be given to the exponential growth of African ports and their strategic role in regional and international trade development. The issue of sustainability will also be addressed from the perspective of necessary adaptations to African realities, particularly in terms of ecological transition and regulation.
The afternoon will kick off with the presentation of the Cian Barometer, providing an updated overview of economic dynamics and investment prospects in Africa. The impact of climate change on agriculture and the continent’s food self-sufficiency will then be debated, highlighting innovations and technologies that can foster a sustainable transformation of the agri-food sector.
The role of digitalization and innovation will be explored through a roundtable on technological advances in finance, trade, and services. While solutions exist, challenges remain, particularly the lack of a common legal framework and insufficient local financing. The discussion will also focus on the African banking landscape and its evolution in response to economic changes.
A contrasting dynamic for France’s economic presence on the continent
These topics illustrate the strategic sectors for French businesses to invest in, as the context of this 15th edition of the Investing in Africa Forum reflects a shifting dynamic for France’s economic presence on the continent. While France’s influence is waning in its former stronghold, particularly in the Sahel due to geopolitical tensions and a strategic retreat, it is gaining ground in English-speaking Africa. Countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria are offering new opportunities for French companies attracted by rapidly growing markets. France’s economic presence in Africa remains significant, with over 3,700 company subsidiaries employing approximately 600,000 people across the continent. Major groups such as TotalEnergies, Orange, Bolloré, Vinci, and CMA CGM continue to invest heavily, illustrating this geographical reconfiguration. Recently, CMA CGM consolidated its position with the acquisition of logistics group Africa Global Logistics (formerly Bolloré Africa Logistics), while EDF strengthened its investments in renewable energy in Kenya and South Africa. This evolution reflects a strategic repositioning of French companies that, in the face of increasing competition from China, the United States, and Gulf countries, are seeking to diversify their partnerships and capitalize on new economic opportunities.
The Investing in Africa Forum 2025 is set to be a prime platform for discussion and networking among stakeholders engaged in the continent’s economic dynamics. Through insightful debates and strategic meetings, this edition aims to actively contribute to promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in Africa.
For more information : https://www.forum-investir-en-afrique-lopinion.fr/
