LONDON, United Kingdom, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:

Global Realignment & New Partnerships

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.

Financing Africa’s Future

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.

Strategic Value Chains

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.

Digital Transformation & Technology

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (https://www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a US$35 million sovereign financing facility with the Republic of Djibouti to support the development of the country’s bunkering services sector and strengthen its position as a strategic regional maritime and trade hub.

The facility was signed at the ITFC Headquarters in Jeddah by Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti.

The financing facility is expected to contribute to Djibouti’s economic growth and revenue diversification by reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Djibouti Port as a “one-stop port” offering comprehensive vessel-related services. With Red Sea Bunkering (RSB) as the Executing Agency, the facility will support the procurement of refined petroleum products, thus boosting RSB’s bunkering operations, enhancing revenue diversification, and consolidating Djibouti’s role as a key logistics and trading hub in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, CEO of ITFC, stated:

“This financing reflects ITFC’s continued commitment to supporting Djibouti’s strategic development priorities, particularly in strengthening energy security, port competitiveness, and trade facilitation. We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Republic of Djibouti and contribute to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.”

H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti, commented: “Today’s signing marks an important milestone in the development of Djibouti’s bunkering services and reflects our strong and valued partnership with ITFC, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This collaboration supports our ambition to position Djibouti as a regional hub for integrated maritime and logistics services. We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth.”

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties.

Since its inception in 2008, ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership, with a total of US$1.8 billion approved primarily supporting the country’s energy sector and trade development objectives.

PARIS, France, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As global energy investment becomes more selective, capital is concentrating on African markets that combine near-term project delivery, regulatory momentum and credible financing pathways. The confirmation of energy ministers from Senegal, Nigeria, Zambia and Djibouti at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2026 Forum in Paris highlights markets where governments are actively engaging investors to advance priority projects.

 

Senegal: From Exploration to Project Delivery

In Senegal, attention has shifted from exploration success to project delivery and commercial structuring. First oil from the Sangomar field, operated by Woodside, marked the country’s entry into the producer ranks, while the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project, led by bp and Kosmos Energy, continues to anchor gas export ambitions.

Phase 2 expansion discussions remain a focal point for investors assessing long-term LNG supply potential and capital requirements. Minister of Energy, Petroleum & Mines Birame Soulèye Diop has emphasized streamlining gas sales frameworks and clarifying domestic allocation – critical for investors balancing export revenues with local power and industrial demand.

Nigeria: Scale Meets Infrastructure Momentum

Nigeria’s investment case is defined by scale and long-awaited infrastructure progress. Its vast gas reserves have historically been under-monetized, but pipeline milestones now signal tangible momentum. The 614-km Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline, a $2.8 billion project, has completed its main line and is moving toward commissioning in 2026, capable of delivering up to 2 billion cubic feet per day of gas to northern industrial and power markets.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo has consistently framed gas infrastructure expansion, pricing reform and domestic offtake development as central to Nigeria’s economic strategy, providing investors with clearer signals on where government support and policy continuity are strongest.

Zambia: Diversification for Energy Security

Zambia’s energy landscape is being reshaped by repeated droughts, which have exposed vulnerabilities in its hydro-dominated power system. This has accelerated the push toward diversification, creating opportunities for private investment in thermal generation, gas-fired power, renewables and regional power trade through the Southern African Power Pool.

Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote has highlighted the urgency of attracting private capital into generation and transmission infrastructure, aligning policy priorities with investor demand for bankable projects backed by credible offtake agreements and regional demand growth.

Djibouti: Infrastructure-Led, Regionally Focused

Djibouti offers a more targeted investment case. Positioned at a strategic crossroads in the Horn of Africa, its energy strategy prioritizes enabling regional power flows rather than large-scale domestic consumption. Geothermal developments, such as the Assal field, and cross-border power interconnections with Ethiopia position Djibouti as a regional transit and services hub.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yonis Ali Guedi has highlighted energy security and export-oriented infrastructure as pillars of national development, appealing to investors seeking stable, long-term returns supported by multilateral finance and regional integration.

The IAE Forum returns to Paris on April 22–23, 2026, at a moment when governments and investors are increasingly focused on execution. By connecting energy ministers with banks, DFIs, project developers and institutional investors, the forum offers a practical setting to assess project readiness, financing structures and policy alignment across multiple markets. For investors navigating a more disciplined capital environment, IAE 2026 provides direct access to the decision-makers shaping near-term opportunities – bridging the gap between project ambition and capital deployment ahead of African Energy Week later in the year.