In Nairobi, a new continental push to finance Africa’s industrial future from within is taking shape as investors, policymakers and project developers prepare to meet in Nairobi for the inaugural Africa We Build Summit 2026.
Convened by the Africa Finance Corporation in partnership with the Government of Kenya, the April 23-24 gathering is being framed not as another talking shop, but as a deal-making platform aimed at converting Africa’s vast pools of domestic savings into roads, rail, power and processing industries that directly employ people.
Situated in the centre of the agenda, is a question long debated across the continent: why does Africa, often described by financiers as “capital-rich but investment-poor”, still rely heavily on external funding for infrastructure? Organisers say the answer lies less in scarcity than in structure, with fragmented markets, policy uncertainty and a shortage of bankable projects that meet investor thresholds.
The implications of this notions are immediate for communities across East and Central Africa. Expanded rail and port systems tied to corridors like the Northern Corridor could lower food and fuel prices by reducing transport costs, while new power links promise more reliable electricity for small businesses. In mining regions, a shift toward local processing of strategic minerals could translate into skilled jobs and value retained within national economies, rather than exported in raw form.
Ahead of the summit, Samaila Zubairu – head of the Africa Finance Corporation, said “Africa is not capital-poor, it is capital-trapped”. His argument reflects a broader policy move, gaining traction that pension funds, sovereign wealth pools and local banks must play a bigger role in financing long-term development, provided risks are better managed.
Politically, the summit arrives at a moment of renewed emphasis on regional integration. William Samoei Ruto, is expected to use his keynote address to gesture high-level backing for cross-border infrastructure. These are projects that often stall due to regulatory misalignment or competing national interests. Analysts say stronger political coordination could unlock stalled corridors and revive plans for an integrated East African rail network.
Also, the effort also raises questions about governance and inclusion. Civil society groups have increasingly called for transparency in large infrastructure deals. Warning that poorly structured financing, can burden public finances or bypass local communities. Organisers say the summit will address these concerns by prioritising bankable and execution-ready projects, terms that in practice, hinge on clear regulatory frameworks, environmental safeguards and measurable social returns.
Continue reading with Eandel
Subscribe to unlock the complete story and receive your subscriber benefits.
