“ATIDI has become an essential institution for mobilizing investments in Africa”
What is your assessment of the ATIDI General Assemblies in Nairobi, which also mark the 25th anniversary of the institution?
Professor Kelly Mua Kingsly: I come out of these General Assemblies with a real sense of satisfaction. When we look at the progress made in twenty-five years, we can see the extent of the transformation. We started with an idea supported by a few visionaries. Today, ATIDI has become an almost indispensable institution for the economic development of the continent.
Why indispensable? Because the world is going through a series of crises: economic shocks, financial tensions, pandemics, geopolitical conflicts, rising interest rates. In this context, mobilizing capital has become much more complex than it was twenty-five or thirty years ago.
The founders of ATIDI had anticipated this evolution. They understood that one day African countries would need an instrument capable of reassuring investors and facilitating access to financing.
ATIDI now plays an essential role in correcting the perception of African risk. The reality is that risk is often overestimated by international investors. Our mission is precisely to demonstrate that this perception does not always correspond to the economic fundamentals of African countries.
By providing guarantees and risk coverage mechanisms, we enable investors to take the plunge. We thus become a strategic partner for states, development banks, and the private sector.
This evolution is all the more important as it is part of the new dynamic driven by the African Development Bank, which aims to mobilize more private capital for the continent’s development. Today, even Western partners are joining ATIDI or wishing to work with us. This is an extremely strong signal.
ATIDI recently participated in the G7 meetings. What was the purpose of this participation?
Our presence at the G7 primarily reflects the international recognition gained by ATIDI.
This recognition opens up several perspectives. It strengthens our credibility with international financial markets, facilitates access to new partners, and improves our ability to mobilize financing.
It also serves as a gateway to more cooperation with institutional investors and Western partners.
In the end, this confirms that ATIDI is now recognized as one of the main African institutions capable of assisting sovereign states in mobilizing investments and securing financing.
The message is simple: Africans now have a credible tool to attract the resources needed for the structural transformation of their economies, with the support of their international partners.
ATIDI now aims to increase its capital to $2 billion. Where is this process at?
Capital increase is one of our main strategic priorities.
We currently have twenty-four member states. Our ambition is to gradually expand this base to cover all fifty-four African countries. Each new membership will naturally strengthen our financial capacity.
At the same time, we aim to attract more institutional investors and international partners who wish to participate in Africa’s development.
African states must understand that investing in ATIDI is not just a contribution to development. It is also a profitable investment. Shares increase in value over time and offer a return while strengthening the country’s ability to attract private investments.
In other words, states can be both shareholders, beneficiaries of the guarantees offered by ATIDI, and beneficiaries of the investments that this additional credibility enables to mobilize.
ATIDI has distributed $17 million in dividends. Does this enhance the institution’s attractiveness?
Absolutely.
Dividends demonstrate the financial strength of ATIDI. Some shareholders choose to reinvest them to support the institution’s growth; others may prefer to receive them in cash. This flexibility is a real asset.
However, I believe that Francophone countries are still underrepresented in our capital. They would benefit from increasing their participation.
ATIDI does not only guarantee projects. It also helps make countries more visible to international investors.
We regularly organize roadshows to present investment opportunities of our member states to major international investors. It is an exceptional platform for economic promotion that African countries should take more advantage of.
What role does ATIDI intend to play in the implementation of the New African Financial Architecture (NAFA)?
ATIDI will naturally be a key partner in the New African Financial Architecture.
Our mission perfectly complements that of other continental institutions, notably the African Development Bank.
NAFA aims to mobilize more African resources to finance the continent’s development. On our part, we provide guarantees that secure these investments.
In other words, the African Development Bank, NAFA, and ATIDI are called to work together to support African states, enhance their attractiveness, and accelerate the investments necessary for their economic transformation.
