Shaping the Future of Africa - Markets and Opportunities for Private Investors

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to half of all people in extreme poverty. It also has the largest number of countries torn by conflict and instability, complicating the fight against poverty. Despite the recent economic drag, Africa is a rapidly expanding market that represents significant economic opportunity for private enterprises and investors around the world. Growing populations with rising incomes across Africa are spurring demand for reliable electricity, affordable housing, good jobs, healthier environments in which to live and work, consumer goods, and higher quality, more resilient food resources. IFC helps address these challenges by working with the private sector to support private investment, strengthen local capital markets, and promote sustainable development. The many positive developments across Africa, including progressing economic reforms in many countries, technological advances, urbanization, and growing middle classes could prove to be significant opportunities for both African economies and businesses seeking to engage with them. A multitude of private and public-private initiatives across Africa, many of them assisted by IFC and World Bank financing seek to serve a region now being transformed by technological advances, urbanization, and growing middle classes.