10 economic summits driving Africa’s growth and global investment

At a Glance

• High-level summits unlock billions in trade, energy, and digital investment across Africa.
• Global partners deepen Africa ties, boosting economic diplomacy and market competitiveness.
• Forums shape Africa’s role in supply chains, green energy, and fintech innovation.

Africa is fast becoming one of the world’s most dynamic investment frontiers, with high-level summits serving as catalysts for trade, energy transition, digital innovation, and sustainable growth.

These forums are no longer just symbolic gatherings—they are engines of capital flows, policy reform, and cross-border investment that are reshaping Africa’s economic trajectory.

From Cape Town to Lagos, Marrakesh to Johannesburg, heads of state, global executives, and leading investors are converging at these platforms to unlock billions in financing.

They are driving Africa’s integration into global supply chains, advancing renewable energy transitions, scaling fintech solutions, and expanding infrastructure that powers long-term growth.

Backed by strategic partners including the U.S., South Korea, and the G20, Africa’s economic diplomacy is accelerating, positioning the continent as a decisive player in global markets.

Here are 10 economic summits shaping Africa’s future growth and investment outlook, compiled by Shore.Africa:

West Africa Economic Summit (WAES)

In June 2025, Nigeria hosted the WAES under the banner “Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region.”

With ECOWAS heads of state in attendance, the summit focused on accelerating regional economic integration and advancing policy frameworks for cross-border trade and financing.

Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES)

A cornerstone for climate-smart growth, AGES presented a pipeline of $2.2 billion across 58 projects spanning renewable energy, clean tech, sustainable agriculture, and the blue economy.

The summit is key to Africa’s just energy transition and long-term investment in green infrastructure.

Africa Impact Summit

Dedicated to scaling impact investing, the summit convened under the theme Transforming Systems: Redefining Impact for Real Change in Africa. 

Investors and policymakers explored financing for healthcare, education, and clean energy, with Nigeria hosting a study tour to deepen cross-border collaboration.

3i Africa Summit – FinTech & Policy

This specialized summit brought together central bank governors, investors, and leading fintech companies to accelerate digital finance and SME integration across Africa.

Discussions focused on regulatory reforms, cross-border innovation, and Africa–Asia digital partnerships.

GITEX Africa Summit

Africa’s largest tech expo drew global investors managing more than $250 billion in assets.

With themes spanning artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, and cybersecurity, GITEX positioned Morocco as a hub for Africa’s digital transformation. Ericsson and other global players unveiled infrastructure commitments.

U.S.–Africa Business Summit

One of the most influential bilateral forums, the summit reinforced U.S.–Africa trade ties in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and technology.

Executives and policymakers finalized investment frameworks to expand sustainable development across the continent.

African Energy Week (AEW)

As Africa’s flagship energy forum, AEW spotlighted investment opportunities in renewables, oil, and gas, while debating strategies to expand electricity access.

With global demand for African resources rising, AEW plays a pivotal role in balancing growth with sustainability.

G20 Johannesburg Summit

South Africa’s G20 presidency brought unprecedented visibility to Africa’s development priorities.

Core discussions centered on climate finance, debt relief, renewable energy, and critical mineral equity—securing Africa a stronger voice in global decision-making.

African Union–AIP Water Investment Summit

This summit addressed Africa’s $30 billion annual water and sanitation financing gap.

By showcasing bankable projects and pushing regulatory reforms, it advanced solutions to unlock transformative water infrastructure investment.

South Korea–Africa Summit

The inaugural South Korea–Africa Summit cemented new partnerships in trade, infrastructure, and strategic minerals.

Economic Partnership Agreements laid the foundation for long-term industrial collaboration, with reverberations felt across African markets into 2025.