Latest news with #DjiboutiForum
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Djibouti Forum calls for optimism and greater collaboration amidst policy-induced global turbulence
DJIBOUTI City, Djibouti-/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Global turbulence, much of it self-inflicted, dominated discussions at the second edition of the Djibouti Forum. Nonetheless, business leaders appeared relatively optimistic, and this wakeup call may turn out to be a good omen for the continent. This year's Djibouti Forum convened over 150 international guests from 51 countries, including institutional investors overseeing more than $2.6 trillion in cumulative assets. A common thread throughout the discussions was the need for greater strategic partnerships as well as a call for greater domestic resource mobilisation, allowing pension funds and sovereign wealth funds to take greater risks. Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed declared that Djibouti was ready to diversify its economy beyond its well-established ports and logistics sector, which he described as 'one of the most efficient and sophisticated in Africa.' 'Renewable energy, the digital economy, tourism, and financial services are all at the heart of this next chapter. We're looking for access to capital, expertise, and partners who share our long-term vision.' The Prime Minister reassured investors of Djibouti's unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and fostering economic and political stability. 'The pillar of our strategy in Djibouti is stability. Our currency, pegged to the dollar since 1949, offers investors a degree of stability that is rare in Africa,' he remarked. Dr. Slim Feriani, CEO of the Fonds Souverain de Djibouti (the country's sovereign wealth fund), emphasised the fund's readiness to co-invest alongside international investors in key projects. 'The FSD will partner with all of you, taking equity stakes and essentially putting skin in the game. We want to double our assets under management in the next five years, and we know that we cannot do this alone,' he noted. Feriani highlighted the potential for attractive returns on investment for private players in Djibouti. 'Investors here have seen positive returns,' he explained, while acknowledging the need for sustained reforms to further attract private investment. 'The private sector is a force for good, which needs positive regulations to create a conducive environment.' The two-day forum featured over 50 high-level speakers, engaging in discussions on topics such as privatization, public-private partnerships, and priority economic sectors including technology, connectivity, energy, tourism, financial services, and logistics. The event facilitated lively debates among leading economists, policymakers, and investors about the macroeconomic landscape in Djibouti and across Africa. Dr. Acha Leke, Senior Partner & Chairman of McKinsey & Company, Africa, expressed optimism regarding Africa's economic prospects despite challenges such as high indebtedness and unequal economic growth across countries. 'Despite all its challenges, Africa is home to approximately 345 businesses valued at over $1 billion, with cumulative revenues around $1 trillion,' he stated. Lionel Zinsou, former Prime Minister of Benin and co-founder of SouthBridge, identified the emergence of philanthropic capital as a crucial opportunity for Africa. 'There is a new important partner in blended finance, which is the partnership of the public and private sectors with philanthropy. They are prepared to de-risk investments and to supply grants, which helps lower the costs and interest rates for projects,' he said. Dr. Samuel Maimbo, former World Bank Vice President, commended the FSD for creating a collaborative platform for institutional investors in Africa. 'The idea of having an African sovereign wealth fund working with other SWFs is the start of a good conversation. We must stop this cycle of aid and debt. We know how the story ends. It is time to pivot to hope and prosperity.' The Djibouti Forum was hosted by the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti (Fonds Souverain de Djibouti), established in March 2020 and now under the stewardship of CEO Dr. Slim Feriani, a former Tunisian Minister with over 30 years of experience in international capital markets. Distributed by African Media Agency. on behalf of IC Publications -Ends- About the Djibouti Forum: Convened by the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti (Fonds Souverain de Djibouti), this two-day event is a global platform to accelerate investment in fast-growing emerging markets. This Forum highlights the potential and prospects of Djibouti as well as the African continent. It facilitates dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as the SWF and institutional investment community. The Forum is not only showcasing interesting investment opportunities in the country but is also bringing together CEOs, investors and developers to foster collaboration amongst like-minded individuals and catalyse strategic investments for the whole subregion. About Fonds Souverain de Djibouti Established in March 2020, the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti is helping to build a multigenerational savings pot, improve governance, diversify the economy and catalyse greenfield investments in the country's strategic sectors. These include sustainable natural resources and energy, telecommunications and digital infrastructure, technology, tourism, financial services, critical infrastructure and services, healthcare and education. For more information visit: Media contact IC Publications Isabelle Dana
Zawya
03-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Djibouti to gather leaders in finance and industry to accelerate investments across Africa in a new global order
DJIBOUTI City, Djibouti -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The second edition of the Djibouti Forum will bring together important leaders in finance and business from over 50 countries to help kickstart a new era for investment in a fast moving and changing global order. Hosted by the Fonds Souverain de Djibouti (Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti), this exclusive gathering has been designed to catalyse investments across Africa while highlighting the Horn of Africa's crucial role as a driver of regional growth and development. This two-day Forum will discuss how future economic megatrends will impact the continent as well as bringing together leaders from several development banks to discuss the increasingly important role of African multilateral development banks and how to leverage their balance sheets to drive greater growth. 'The objective of the Djibouti Forum is to connect Africa's financial and business community and guide it in seizing the continent's unique and growing commercial and investment opportunities' stated Dr. Slim Feriani, CEO of the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti. 'Djibouti being at the intersection of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, is the right strategic partner to facilitate partnerships for our region's growth and development.' Through the visionary leadership of Djibouti's President, the Forum serves as a dynamic platform for a broad dialogue to help leaders address key shifts that will impact investment flows. The event is set to host financiers managing over $2 trillion in assets under management, with strong participation from sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, and leading development finance institutions, including the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the African Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the African Finance Corporation, the Trade and Development Bank, and Afreximbank. The Forum expects 50 speakers and 400 international and regional high-level delegates to drive impactful discussions and meaningful collaborations. Distinguished speakers include Sidi Ould Tah, President, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Solomon Quaynor, Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization, AfDB, Admassu Tadesse, President and Managing Director, Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB), Aminu Umar-Sadiq, CEO of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Bahruz Bahramov, Deputy CEO, State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), Miguel Azevedo, Managing Director Vice-Chair, Investment Banking Middle East & Africa, Citigroup, Lionel Zinsou, Former Prime Minister of Benin and Co-founder, SouthBridge, Acha Leke, Senior Partner & Chairman, McKinsey & Company, Africa, Carlos Lopes, Honorary Professor, Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town, Tidjane Thiam, Former CEO at Prudential and Credit Suisse, Executive Chairman of Freedom Acquisition Corporation, Thierno-Habib Hann, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Shelter Afrique and Hassan Jaber, Chief Executive Officer, Axian Telecom. Participants can access the full agenda directly on the Djibouti Forum website and follow live discussions from African Business social media platforms. Distributed by African Media Agency. on behalf of IC Publications About the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti Established in March 2020, the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti is helping to build a multigenerational savings pot, improve governance, diversify the economy and catalyse greenfield investments in the country's strategic sectors. These include sustainable natural resources and energy, telecommunications and digital infrastructure, technology, tourism, financial services, critical infrastructure and services, healthcare and education. For more information visit: Media contact IC Publications Isabelle Dana
