…East Africa is one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, with GDP projected at c.6% across 2026-2027 – Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda among the strongest performers globally.
The 22nd Annual AVCA Conference & VC Summit, organised and hosted by the African Private Capital Association (AVCA), has kicked off in Nairobi. The global gathering takes place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill, from 27 – 30 April 2026 and brings together more than 800 investors and business leaders from around the world. Convening CEOs, prominent investors, and senior political leaders to redefine the forces shaping local and global growth, stakeholders are positioning Kenya as a gateway to the future of African private investment.
Held under the theme, Break The Mold: Reshaping the Future of African Private Capital, “the annual meeting elevates Africa’s economic and strategic positioning at a critical time where the industry must navigate global shocks and position itself for continued growth,” said Abi Mustapha-Maduakor, Chief Executive Officer, AVCA. “The current environment, while challenging, has opened doors for local institutional investors to fill gaps left by geopolitical complexity, restructure value chains, and transform technological change into investor-led growth for Africa.”
The conference cements the member association’s established role in mobilising investor, policy, and regulatory action to catalyse private business and finance and build diversified, resilient markets. Jane Nzau, Pension Administrator, Central Bank of Kenya, said: “Pension funds in Kenya are ready to invest and provide long-term capital, provided there is structure, proper regulation, and good returns on investment. International capital remains important; increasing domestic investment is essential for resilience and growth.”
Discussions throughout the week will explore value chain expansion, including enabling infrastructure such as grid sustainability, energy storage, natural gas markets, and cross-border railway corridors and roads linking critical minerals with processing hubs and manufacturing value chains. Investors will also identify strategies to improve reforms, liquidity and risk mitigation, to support investors navigating policy trajectories and election outcomes in commercial hubs across Ethiopia and Kenya in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
For the first time, AVCA’s conference will include a dedicated Private Credit Summit as private debt gains significant traction across the continent as an alternative financing mechanism. According to new data from AVCA, total private debt deal volume rose 30% YoY, giving the East Africa region a 36% share of Africa’s total private debt transactions. The findings are a testament to private credit’s stabilising role in Africa’s private capital ecosystem and reinforce its contribution to the region’s capital stack.
Prominent investors driving new approaches to cooperation between domestic and international finance, including Africa Finance Corporation, Africa50, African Infrastructure Investment Managers, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Fund Managers, Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries, Bpi France, British International Investment, Central Bank of Kenya Pension Fund, Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), European Investment Bank (EIB), Infrastructure South Africa, Inspired Evolution, International Finance Corporation, MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates), Meridiam, Nairobi International Finance Centre (NIFC), National Social Security Funds (NSSF), Old Mutual Alternative Investments, Soros Economic Development Fund, and more will participate in the event, to accelerate Africa’s transformation plan.
