The Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum, returning to Paris for its fifth edition next May, will place capital mobilization and deal origination at the center of Africa’s energy investment conversation, connecting governments, investors and project developers to advance bankable opportunities across the continent. As the sector looks to unlock new sources of financing, the key challenge is no longer only where capital exists, but how it can be mobilized and directed toward the projects capable of delivering Africa’s energy ambitions.

After years of development, the scale of domestic capital available to Africa is substantial. The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) reported in April that Africa’s non-bank domestic capital exceeds $2 trillion, surpassing the approximately $1.7 trillion in external flows the continent received between 2014 and 2024. Pension and insurance assets have crossed $1 trillion, while sovereign wealth funds hold $164 billion and public development banks manage $276 billion. Yet much of this capital remains concentrated in short-term government securities rather than long-term infrastructure and energy projects.

AFC President Samaila Zubairu has described the challenge as one of intermediation, noting that Africa has significant savings but requires stronger systems to channel capital into infrastructure and industry at scale. The institution is developing new financing models to bridge this gap, including innovative bond structures and partnerships designed to attract institutional investors.

Sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors are increasingly exploring mechanisms to deploy capital into strategic infrastructure and energy assets. The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority is backing a $500 million distributed renewable energy fund with infrastructure investor Africa50, structured to provide local-currency financing and reduce the currency risks that have historically limited institutional investment.

Pension capital is following, though it requires dedicated mechanisms to unlock participation. Nigeria’s pension industry manages more than 31 trillion naira ($22.8 billion), yet only a small portion is allocated to infrastructure. Institutions such as InfraCredit are helping close this gap by providing guarantees that enable pension funds to invest in infrastructure bonds, supporting projects across gas distribution, hydropower and renewable energy.

Export credit agencies are also returning to Africa’s energy pipeline. The restart of TotalEnergies’ $20 billion Mozambique LNG project in late 2025, supported by financing from approximately 30 lenders including eight export credit agencies, demonstrates renewed confidence in large-scale energy developments and the role of structured financing in advancing complex projects.

Development finance institutions are similarly evolving beyond direct lending toward mobilizing broader pools of capital. Initiatives such as Mission 300 – led by the World Bank and the African Development Bank – aim to mobilize more than $238 billion to expand electricity access across Africa by 2030, highlighting the scale of capital coordination required to meet the continent’s energy ambitions.

This is the investment landscape IAE 2027 is designed to address. Returning to Paris from May 11–13, the forum will bring together governments, operators, financiers and institutional investors through dedicated platforms including the Transaction Suite and Investor Circles. By connecting those seeking capital with those positioned to provide it, IAE 2027 will advance the partnerships and financing structures needed to accelerate Africa’s next generation of energy projects.