Nairobi: For the first time, Africa's leading infrastructure financiers, fund managers, investors, and industry leaders will convene in Nairobi, with a bold mandate to unlock domestic capital and turn the continent's industrial ambitions into a tangible, job-creating reality.According to African Press Organization, the inaugural Africa We Build Summit will be hosted by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) in partnership with the Government of Kenya, taking place from 23 to 24 April 2026. Under the theme "Infrastructure as the Engine of Industrialisation," the Summit will bring together decision-makers to originate and advance bankable projects, strengthen regional integration, and accelerate Africa's industrial development.The Africa We Build Summit 2026 marks a shift from standalone projects to integrated infrastructure systems. Sessions will explore regional corridor investments, expanded rail and port networks, cross-border energy systems, and the development of strategic minerals value chains. H.E. Dr . William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, will deliver the keynote address, highlighting the commitment to advancing regional integration and large-scale industrial development.The Summit aims to mobilise a larger portion of Africa's substantial domestic capital base towards bankable and globally competitive infrastructure and industrial opportunities. It will be underpinned by the launch of the State of Africa's Infrastructure Report 2026, offering a comprehensive analysis of Africa's cross-continental investment landscape and informing capital deployment and project execution in support of The Africa We Build agenda.Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of AFC, commented ahead of the Summit, stating that Africa is not capital-poor but capital-trapped. He emphasised the need to channel capital into infrastructure and industry at scale, transforming resources into productivity, jobs, and long-term prosperity. Anchored in bankable projects and execution-focused partnerships, the Summit is des igned as a delivery platform, with initiatives such as the Lobito Corridor and the Kenya National Infrastructure Fund demonstrating the potential of aligned capital, policy, and projects.Recognising the East African Community as a dynamic regional bloc, the Summit will spotlight priority regional corridors, such as the Northern Corridor, linking the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and South Sudan. Discussions will focus on regional connectivity in road and rail, including upgrades along key cross-border highways, and advancing a broader East African Railway Master Plan.A central theme will be linking power and minerals, with an emphasis on value addition rather than mere extraction, to ensure that infrastructure investments deliver long-term economic transformation.For more information on The Africa We Build Summit, please visit AfricaWeBuild (https://apo-opa.co/47urk1Y).
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