Banjul: 7ᵗʰ Edition of The Financial Afrik Awards

Dates: January 22–23, 2026
Venue: The Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo, The Gambia.

🔹 A Landmark Gathering for African Economic Leadership

Launched in 2018, the Financial Afrik Awards have become one of the flagship events on Africa’s financial and economic calendar.
Each year, the event brings together leading figures from finance, economics, and public policy to discuss, analyze, and celebrate the continent’s major transformations.

Far beyond a ceremony, the Financial Afrik Awards serve as a forum for ideas, strategy, and opportunity, where public and private decision-makers, investors, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and experts connect to shape the future of African development.

Every edition also honors “The 100 Who Transform Africa”, recognizing individuals and institutions whose vision and impact drive economic progress across the continent.

💡 Why Attend?

• Because Africa is shaping its own financial narrative.

• Because African talent deserves a global stage.

• Because the continent’s economic future is being built — with you.

👉 Joining the Financial Afrik Awards means engaging with a community of visionary leaders, top-level policymakers, and innovators committed to defining a sovereign, inclusive, and forward-looking African economy.

🧭 Key Strategic Themes for 2026

1️⃣ Public–Private Partnerships: A Sustainable Alternative to Public Debt

In an era of fiscal tightening and rising debt, Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) have become a strategic necessity to finance Africa’s growing infrastructure needs.
PPPs enable governments to mobilize private capital, accelerate project delivery, and enhance public governance, while maintaining fiscal stability.

The challenge is no longer about why PPPs matter — but how to make them work effectively.
A strong PPP framework relies on:

• Robust institutions and independent regulation,

• Transparent procedures and sound contract management,

• Balanced risk-sharing between public and private sectors,

• Accurate financial modeling,

• And reliable legal safeguards to build investor confidence.

Successful models — from energy projects in South Africa to infrastructure partnerships in Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire — demonstrate that well-designed PPPs can enhance both sovereignty and efficiency.
At Banjul, discussions will move from concept to action: exploring innovative financing mechanisms, regulatory best practices, and strategies for scaling PPPs across Africa.

2️⃣ Africa–Arab World: Building a Strategic Alliance for the Future

The partnership between Africa and the Arab world is entering a decisive phase, driven by two complementary forces:
the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) and the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI / Africa Club).

On one side, Arab institutions such as the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), BADEA, OPEC Fund, ADIA, and QIA hold a combined asset base exceeding USD 400 billion, providing access to significant capital and liquidity.
On the other, African institutions like Afreximbank, Shelter Afrique Development Bank, and TDB Group manage more than USD 100 billion in assets, supporting trade, investment, and infrastructure across the continent.

This partnership builds on Africa’s strong fundamentals:

• A 1.4 billion population, half of whom are under 25,

• A USD 3 trillion projected GDP by 2030,

• The world’s largest free trade area (AfCFTA),

• And abundant natural and energy resources.

The roundtable in Banjul will focus on co-financing mechanisms, risk-sharing instruments, and joint Afro-Arab funds, aiming to enhance infrastructure finance, industrial value chains, and food and energy security.

By combining Arab capital depth, African institutional expertise, and shared industrial ambitions, this alliance can become a major driver of 21st-century development finance, anchoring Africa’s economic sovereignty and sustainable growth.

3️⃣ Invest in The Gambia: A Rising Hub of Opportunities

Strategically positioned as a gateway to ECOWAS and its 400 million consumers, The Gambia is emerging as one of West Africa’s most promising investment destinations.
With a stable macroeconomic environment and a clear commitment to private-sector growth, the country offers an attractive ecosystem for investors seeking both security and opportunity.

Through the leadership of the Gambia Investment & Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA), the nation has strengthened its institutional and regulatory framework by ensuring:

• Strong legal protections for investors,

• Competitive tax incentives and customs facilities,

• A single-window service for streamlined procedures,

• Active support for PPPs,

• And a national strategy focused on value creation and export growth.

Priority investment sectors include:

• Tourism & hospitality – sustainable and coastal tourism projects,

• Energy & hydrocarbons – offshore exploration and renewables,

• Logistics & trade – port and air infrastructure,

• Digital economy & services – fintech, IT, and outsourcing,

• Agriculture & agribusiness – agro-processing and aquaculture,

• Real estate & special economic zones.

During the Financial Afrik Awards, GIEPA will showcase a portfolio of investment-ready projects and facilitate direct engagements between investors, government officials, and financial institutions.
The goal: to establish The Gambia as a competitive, open, and forward-looking investment hub in the subregion.

📅 Preliminary Program

January 22, 2026

• Strategic visits (by appointment)

• Private B2B meetings

• VIP Welcome Cocktail

January 23, 2026

• Official Opening Ceremony

• Strategic Panels

• Invest in The Gambia Session

• Africa–Arab World Roundtable

• 🎖️ Gala & Awards Night: “The 100 Who Transform Africa”