The International Finance Corporation (IFC) hosted a press roundtable in Nairobi on Thursday, 3rd October 2025, to discuss innovative financial solutions for sustainable development in Africa. Led by IFC’s Vice President for Africa, Ethiopis Tafara, the event brought together senior leadership to explore ways to unlock and channel domestic capital toward inclusive growth.
According to Tafara, “Across Africa, our priority is to unlock private capital at a scale that can truly transform economies.” He emphasized the urgent need to create more jobs, stating, “Millions of young people enter the workforce every year, and we must create more jobs faster than ever before.”
He added, ” That means going beyond what development institutions can finance alone and creating the right conditions for investors to back ventures that drive inclusive growth.”
To achieve this, IFC is working to expand access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), accelerate renewable energy investments, and scale digital infrastructure to support microbusinesses. The organization is also advising governments on sustainable infrastructure and climate resilience.
Tafara highlighted the importance of collaboration, saying, “By working with governments, the private sector, and partners, we can channel Africa’s own capital into high-impact sectors…where investments ripple through local economies, creating jobs and building a more resilient future.”
IFC’s Portfolio in Kenya
As of August 31, 2025, IFC’s investment portfolio in Kenya totaled $1.3 billion, supporting job creation, energy access, infrastructure development, and financial services. IFC is also delivering $65 million in advisory programs to attract private investment in key sectors.
Africa Financial Summit
The Africa Financial Summit (AFIS) 2025, co-hosted by IFC and Jeune Afrique Media Groupe, will take place in Casablanca, Morocco, on November 3-4. The summit will focus on mobilizing domestic savings and channeling them into productive investments that drive growth and create opportunities.
