Nairobi will take center stage in Africa’s investment and
philanthropy calendar when it hosts the 2025 AVPA Conference from November 3 to
5 at the Trademark Hotel.
The event, organized by the African Venture Philanthropy
Alliance (AVPA), is expected to draw over 400 leaders, including investors,
philanthropists, policymakers, pension funds, and development finance
institutions, all united by a common goal: unlocking catalytic capital to fuel
Africa’s inclusive and sustainable growth.
Held under the theme “Future Proofing Africa: Driving
Sustainable Investments and Innovations for Resilient Growth,” the three-day
summit will spotlight the continent’s potential to lead in innovation and
impact-driven investment.
Organizers say the conference is not just a meeting but a
pan-African movement aimed at rethinking how financial flows are directed
toward solving the continent’s most pressing challenges.
“This is more than just a conference, it's a pan-African
movement to rethink how capital flows to where it matters most,” said Dr Frank
Aswani, CEO of AVPA.
“From Lagos to Lusaka, and Nairobi to Cape Town, we’re
breaking down silos and rallying investors, innovators and changemakers to
co-create bold solutions that shape Africa’s future.”
The program will feature high-level plenaries and breakout
sessions focusing on policy innovation, blended finance, local capital
mobilization, and leadership for transformative growth.
Sector-specific sessions will address renewable energy for
climate resilience, fintech for financial inclusion, agri-tech for food
security, and AI-driven technology for scalable impact.
To complement the formal program, participants will also
take part in an “Impact Disco,” a curated networking experience designed to
encourage collaborations across different sectors.
The conference will conclude with the Impact Safari, an
experiential segment that allows delegates to engage with real-world case
studies and projects beyond the conference venue.
The event comes at a time when impact investment in Africa
has surpassed $11 billion in 2025, with returns ranging between 15–25% across
sectors.
Organizers argue that the opportunity lies not in a shortage
of capital, but in how available funds are aligned and deployed.
“Africa stands at a unique inflection point. We are not
short of capital or talent; we are short of alignment,” said Adedotun Sulaiman,
AVPA’s Board Chair.
“This conference is about converting intent into investment
and ambition into impact. Nairobi is the right place, and now is the right
time.”
Adding to this, Nasri Adam, AVPA’s Director of Impact &
Communications, pointed out that Africa holds an estimated $12 billion in
dormant local capital, including pension funds and insurance reserves.
“The AVPA Conference
is where we reimagine how that wealth can be mobilized, turning idle capital
into investments that drive inclusive and sustainable growth,” she said.
