Main Conference Day 1Wednesday, 4 December 2024

To what extent are increased stressful headlines and global tensions impacting Africa’s economic outlook? How are current macroeconomic conditions impacting prices of raw materials and in what ways can businesses and governments de-escalate the situation? How have African countries developed contingency plans in response to hundreds of cargo ships rerouting away from the Suez Canal? Reflections on the ‘Super Election Year’: results, revelations and ramifications.

Which foolproof sectors have consistently shown promise for private investment in Africa and do they match global trends? What regulatory hurdles influence private market choices on the continent and what tactics are the top fund managers deploying to ease them? Which stakeholders need to work closely together to boost economic and social growth and to make sure it lasts? Evaluating key data on deal value and exits in Africa.

What measures can be implemented to support portfolio companies in navigating devaluations and minimising the impact on their business operations? How do the most successful GPs multiply value and efficiency through technology and partnerships? Scalability is key: how can businesses scale into new, prosperous markets? What crucial methods are firms overlooking that require further refinement with regards to flexibility, monitoring consistency and overall value creation and profit strategy?

How are LP mandates evolving in response to changing market dynamics? What trends are emerging in terms of sectoral or geographical focus? Are specialist funds the way to win over the LPs? Addressing the root of the problem: why are international investors retreating from Africa and how can fund managers retain those relationships?

Gender lens funds: what factors determine their success? Be authentic: what are the key takeaways from the recent 2X criteria changes? How to define, measure and report ‘diverse’ and ‘inclusive’? How are investors tackling the challenge of limited track records for innovative investment strategies within the DEI landscape?

What unique skill sets and strategies are required for SME-focused investors and fund managers compared to those targeting larger organisations? How can fund of funds effectively identify and support SME investment initiatives? In light of the dynamic nature of SMEs, what risk mitigation strategies are vital to ensure their sustainability and long term success?

How can sustainability solutions be better suited to the African context? In what ways can investors tackle the economic disparities that influence sustainability practices and differences between continents? What are the specific challenges and opportunities for climate oriented investments in Africa, considering the region’s unique environmental and economic context? How can firms reduce the time and cost burdens that come with reporting?

How is the trend of consolidation among PE players shaping the landscape of investments in Africa? What are the key drivers behind this shift? What challenges must be addressed to ensure successful integration and collaboration among GPs and how are LPs and GPs mitigating these?

What makes credit so dynamic yet attractive in Africa? In what ways can debt coexist with banking to generate revenue and make an impact? What are investors expecting in terms of risk-adjusted returns? What role can partnerships between local institutions, international investors and DFIs play in driving growth and stability in Africa’s private credit markets? What have the biggest debt players got under their sleeves for the next few years?

How can investors simply and effectively diversify their portfolios to build resilience despite external risk factors? How are firms managing crises specific to certain regions as well as those that span across borders such as foreign exchange risk? What innovative solutions are available for managing political risk in African markets and how can investors integrate these most efficiently?

This discussion is open to all attendees interested in delving into the critical aspects of leveraging private capital to nurture and engage African talent on the continent and beyond. Explore strategies for talent training and retention, incentives for the youth, and discover how to align your offerings with the unique needs of the new wave of entrepreneurs.

Run strictly under the Chatham House Rule. Encouraging participants to speak openly on the topics that really matter.

Open to all. Closed to Press.

For GP and Service Provider registrations please contact Munazzah Siddique at munazzah.siddique@informa.com

For LPs: To join, please contact Adrianna Moskal at adrianna.moskal@informa.com