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The Journal of African Business Issue 12

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  • African
  • Infrastructure
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  • Climate
  • Sustainable
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Welcome to the March/April/May 2025 issue of The Journal of African Business. This unique guide to business and investment in Africa is your up-to-date guide to business and investment trends on the African continent.

FiCS 2025:

FiCS 2025: TransformingGlobal Infrastructure fora Sustainable FutureThe Finance in Common Summit 2025 (FiCS 2025) is set to redefine the global approach tosustainable infrastructure development.Co-hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Asian Infrastructure InvestmentBank (AIIB), in collaboration with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), this landmark eventbrings together public development banks (PDBs), policymakers, private sector leaders, and civil society.Together, these stakeholders aim to harness infrastructure development as a force for economicresilience, climate action, and global equity.At its core, FiCS 2025 is more than a dialogue, it is a call to action. The Summit seeks to unite publicand private stakeholders to address the staggering trillion global infrastructure investment gapprojected by 2040. By focusing on innovative financing models, climate-resilient development, andequitable growth, FiCS 2025 aspires to deliver concrete outcomes that ensure no one is left behind.Reimagining Public Development BanksFiCS 2025 champions a transformative role for publicdevelopment banks, recognising them as pivotal catalystsfor sustainable development. These institutions are uniquelypositioned to de-risk investments, mobilise private capital, anddrive transformative projects where they are needed most.The DBSA, a cornerstone of Africa’s infrastructuredevelopment, exemplifies this role by addressing criticalgaps that hinder the continent’s economic and socialprogress. From championing energy transitions to financingcross-border transport networks, the DBSA ensures thatAfrican priorities, including the Just Energy Transition andregional integration, take centre stage at FiCS 2025.The AIIB’s expertise in financing sustainable, technologydrivenprojects highlights the interconnectedness ofglobal economies. Its commitment to green finance andtechnological innovation aligns seamlessly with the summit’svision of building a climate-resilient future. Similarly, theAFD’s decades of experience in equitable development andits extensive footprint in Africa underscore its vital role infostering resilience, reducing inequalities, and promotinginclusive growth.Actionable Solutions for aSustainable FutureFiCS 2025 prioritises actionable solutionsover discussions, focusing on financing the nextgeneration of infrastructure projects that are bothsustainable and inclusive. By leveraging the combinedstrengths of the DBSA, AIIB, and AFD, the Summit will unveilpathways to unlock private capital and drive investments in climate-resilient andequitable infrastructure.Infrastructure is the backbone of climate resilience, and FiCS 2025 will spotlight thecritical role of green finance and climate-focused investments in achieving globalclimate targets while ensuring development remains people-centred. This emphasisis particularly relevant for Africa, where energy access, digital transformation, andregional trade integration hold transformative potential.Africa’s Role in the Global Development StoryAfrica’s vast resources and growth potential make it central to the globaldevelopment narrative. With the DBSA at the helm, FiCS 2025 ensures that thecontinent’s infrastructure priorities receive the global attention and investment theymerit. By highlighting initiatives such as energy access, digital transformation, andregional trade, the summit positions Africa as a key player in shapinga sustainable global future.A Platform for PartnershipsFiCS 2025 is a platform for building partnerships that transcend borders and sectors.By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the Summit fosters collaboration andcreates synergies to drive long-term, meaningful change. The collective expertiseand commitment of its hosts and partners provide a blueprint for addressing sharedchallenges with bold, innovative strategies.Building a Better WorldThis Summit is not just a gathering; it is a movement. It reflects what is possible wheninstitutions like the DBSA, AIIB, and AFD combine their strengths to address globalchallenges. In an era marked by inequality, climate emergencies, and economicuncertainties, FiCS 2025 offers a vision for resilient, inclusive, and sustainableinfrastructure development.As the world turns its attention to this pivotal event, FiCS 2025 promises to deliver boldstrategies and tangible solutions that will shape the future of global infrastructure. Thisis not merely about constructing projects, it is about building a better, more prosperousworld for all.

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