What Will It Take to Finance Africa’s Industrial Future?

Africa’s industrial ambitions will require significant investment in energy and infrastructure. But what separates projects that attract capital from those that struggle to reach financial close?

Hosted by Energy News Network (ENN) in partnership with The Electricity Hub, Let’s Talk Energy speaks with Shirley Webber, Managing Principal, Coverage Head – Resources & Energy at Absa, about where financiers see opportunity across Africa’s energy markets and what they need to see before committing capital.

From country and policy stability to clear offtake, sustainability and project viability, Shirley explores why financing decisions increasingly depend on understanding the entire value chain rather than looking at individual projects in isolation.

The conversation also looks at Africa’s evolving energy mix and why industrialisation will require different solutions in different markets. For mining and other energy-intensive industries, reliable baseload, renewables, transmission infrastructure and battery storage could all have a role depending on local resources and demand.

And as more capital is mobilised within Africa, could closer collaboration between commercial banks and development finance institutions help move more projects from ambition to investment?