By Ayomide Otitoju
Africa’s leading infrastructure financiers, fund managers, investors and industry leaders are set to convene in Nairobi for the inaugural Africa We Build Summit, aimed at unlocking domestic capital and advancing the continent’s industrial ambitions into job-creating outcomes.
The summit, hosted by Africa Finance Corporation in partnership with the Government of Kenya, will take place from April 23 to 24, 2026, under the theme “Infrastructure as the Engine of Industrialisation.” It is expected to bring together key decision-makers to originate and advance bankable projects, strengthen regional integration, and accelerate industrial development across Africa.
At the heart of the summit is a strategic shift from standalone projects to integrated infrastructure systems. Discussions will focus on regional corridor investments, expansion of rail and port networks, cross-border energy systems, and the development of strategic minerals value chains.
President William Samoei Ruto is scheduled to deliver the keynote address, signalling high-level commitment to regional integration and large-scale industrialisation.
A major focus of the summit will be mobilising a larger share of Africa’s domestic capital towards competitive infrastructure and industrial opportunities capable of attracting global investment.
The event will also feature the launch of the “State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2026,” described as the most comprehensive assessment of the continent’s investment landscape. The report will analyse funding gaps, capital flows and priority project pipelines, with the aim of guiding capital deployment and project execution under the “Africa We Build” agenda.
Ahead of the summit, AFC President and Chief Executive Officer, Samaila Zubairu, said Africa’s challenge is not a lack of capital but the need to effectively channel available resources into large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects that drive productivity, job creation and long-term growth.
Designed as an execution-focused platform, the summit will highlight bankable projects and investable pipelines, alongside partnerships aimed at delivering tangible outcomes. Initiatives such as the Lobito Corridor and financing vehicles like the Kenya National Infrastructure Fund are expected to showcase how alignment between capital, policy and projects can create integrated economic ecosystems linking resources, energy, logistics and markets.
With the East African Community identified as a key growth hub, the summit will spotlight major regional corridors, including the Northern Corridor connecting the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. Discussions will also explore improvements in road and rail connectivity, including plans for a broader East African Railway Master Plan.
A central theme of the summit will be the integration of power and minerals, with a focus on value addition to ensure infrastructure investments translate into sustainable economic transformation across the continent.
