AfDB showcases private-sector financing toolkit at Zambia investment conference

The African Development Bank reaffirmed its commitment to Zambia's private-sector-led economic transformation at the inaugural Invest in Zambia International Conference, showcasing non-sovereign financing instruments aligned with the Zambia Country Strategy Paper 2024-2029. The model of pairing blended finance and de-risking tools with national development plans offers ESG stakeholders a template for mobilising private capital in emerging markets.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) reaffirmed its commitment to Zambia's private-sector-led economic transformation at the inaugural Invest in Zambia International Conference (IZIC), hosting a side event titled Catalyzing Private Sector Growth: Unlocking AfDB's Financing Toolkit in Zambia. Country Manager Raubil Olaniyi Durowoju said the institution is deliberately pivoting toward private-sector development. The Zambia Country Strategy Paper (2024-2029) aligns with the government's Eighth National Development Plan, prioritising catalytic investments in infrastructure and agricultural value chains, with the Financial Solutions Department outlining a suite of non-sovereign financing instruments.

The initiative affects private enterprises, financial institutions, and developers across agriculture, transport infrastructure, industry, and services value chains in Zambia. AfDB outlined financing instruments including senior and subordinated loans, equity participation, trade finance, guarantees, risk participation agreements, and blended finance structures designed to de-risk private investment. Bleming Nekati, AfDB's Regional Head for Private Sector Operations in Southern Africa, said the Bank is building a diversified pipeline of private-sector operations for delivery over the next 12 months and beyond, fostering innovation and inclusion.

Private enterprises and financial institutions in Zambia should engage AfDB sector specialists to identify intervention priorities and access the financing toolkit, including blended finance and risk-mitigation instruments. The event concluded with bilateral meetings advancing potential partnerships and project pipelines aligned with Zambia's growth agenda. Stakeholders should monitor the pipeline AfDB is building for delivery over the next 12 months and align project proposals with the Zambia Country Strategy Paper 2024-2029 and the Eighth National Development Plan priorities.

Key figure — Pipeline horizon: diversified private-sector operations pipeline targeted for delivery over the next 12 months