The Global Africa Investment Summit (GAIS), a groundbreaking platform aimed at connecting Africa’s untapped sovereign assets with global private capital, has been officially launched in Dubai.

Co-founded by Dr Akinwumi Adesina, former president of the African Development Bank Group, and Margery Kraus, founder and executive chairman of APCO, the platform seeks to transform Africa’s economic landscape from aid dependency to investment-driven growth.

During the launch, Adesina emphasised that the summit will connect Africa’s immense potential with global private capital, creating opportunities for mega deals and transformative growth across the continent.

He added that the summit will position Africa as a premier global investment destination by converting public assets into de-risked, investment-ready portfolios, addressing barriers like fragmented markets and limited transparency.

“In the years ahead, Africa will need to unlock its vast sovereign assets to empower global economic growth. The Global Africa Investment Summit platform provides the trusted, structured entity needed to connect Africa’s immense potential with global private capital.

“Through this platform, we are creating the conditions for mega deals that will turn opportunities into bankable investments at scale and drive transformative growth across and beyond the continent”, he said.

Margery Kraus, co-founder and vice chairman of GAIS, said the Global Africa Investment Summit would connect governments, investors and private sector entities to create transformative partnerships.

The first summit will take place in Luanda, Angola in 2027, bringing together heads of state, global investors, and CEOs to explore partnership opportunities.

Attendees of the launching ceremony included; the Mozambique Prime Minister, Maria Benvinda Levy, Ghana President John Dramani Mahama, Angola President João Lourenço and Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The African heads of state and leaders have expressed support for the initiative, citing its potential to unlock Africa’s full potential and drive sustainable development.