AVCA summit positions Kenya as gateway for Africa investment
NAIROBI, Kenya, April 28 – More than 800 global investors and business leaders have gathered in Nairobi for the 22nd Annual AVCA Conference & VC Summit, positioning Kenya as a key entry point for capital into Africa.
Hosted by the African Private Capital Association, the four-day summit is being held at the Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill under the theme “Break The Mold: Reshaping the Future of African Private Capital.”
The conference comes as East Africa cements its place as one of the fastest-growing regions globally, with GDP projected at around 6 percent between 2026 and 2027. According to AVCA, the region attracted $4.1 billion in investments between 2021 and 2025.
Kenya remains the region’s primary investment hub, with capital increasingly flowing into frontier markets such as Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia.
AVCA CEO Abi Mustapha-Maduakor said the forum comes at a pivotal time for the continent.
“The current environment, while challenging, has opened doors for local institutional investors to fill gaps left by geopolitical complexity and transform technological change into investor-led growth for Africa,” she said.
The summit is bringing together policymakers, financiers and corporate leaders to explore ways of strengthening private capital markets, improving regulatory frameworks and unlocking new investment opportunities.
Central Bank of Kenya Pension Administrator Jane Nzau noted that domestic institutional investors are ready to deploy long-term capital, provided there is proper structure and regulation.
“International capital remains important, but increasing domestic investment is essential for resilience and growth,” she said.
Key discussions will focus on infrastructure financing, including energy systems, transport corridors and value chains linked to critical minerals and manufacturing.
For the first time, the summit will also feature a dedicated Private Credit Summit, reflecting growing demand for alternative financing.
AVCA data shows private debt deal volumes in Africa rose by 30 percent year-on-year, with East Africa accounting for 36 percent of total transactions, highlighting its expanding role in the continent’s investment landscape.
Major institutions participating include International Finance Corporation, European Investment Bank, Africa Finance Corporation and British International Investment, among others, as investors seek to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation.