The President of the African Development Bank Group and Chairman of Africa50’s Board of Directors, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has declared that Africa’s transformation will not be driven by handouts, but by bold investments. “The future of Africa is going to come from investment, not aid. I don’t want freebies, I want Africa to develop with pride,” he said ahead of the highly anticipated Africa50GSM Summit holding in Maputo, Mozambique, on August 13, 2025.
Dr. Adesina will deliver the opening remarks at the continental gathering, which aims to fast-track infrastructure development by fostering powerful partnerships between governments and private investors. The event is expected to bring together top-level stakeholders, development finance institutions, investors, and public sector leaders to forge a roadmap for Africa’s infrastructure-led growth.
Under Dr. Adesina’s visionary leadership, the narrative around Africa is rapidly shifting from one of dependency to a new era marked by industrialisation, resilience, and economic pride. His passionate advocacy for sustainable investment and self-reliance has positioned him as a key voice in Africa’s journey toward economic sovereignty.
The Africa50GSM Summit serves as a strategic platform to connect government shareholders with private investors, streamline investment-ready projects, and showcase viable infrastructure ventures across the continent. By leveraging its unique blend of experience, institutional backing, and access to long-term financing, Africa50 is turning ambitions into bankable realities.
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Africa50 boasts a proven track record of successfully closed deals, strengthened by close collaboration with its shareholders, risk mitigation through public-private partnerships, and strict adherence to international environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Its private-sector approach to project execution further enhances its agility and impact.
The summit will also highlight Africa50’s strategy of using equity investments to unlock debt financing and its commitment to demonstrating the value of African infrastructure to global institutional investors.
As Maputo prepares to host one of the most consequential infrastructure investment gatherings on the continent, all eyes are on the Africa50GSM. Stakeholders, development partners, and visionaries from across Africa and beyond are invited to join the conversation and be part of a movement aimed at reshaping Africa’s future through innovation, partnership, and bold investment.