Global Investors to Convene in Nairobi for African Private Capital Association 2026 Summit

The African Private Capital Association (AVCA) will host its 22nd Annual Conference & VC Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, from 27 to 30 April 2026 (with some sessions extending to 1 May).

The high-level gathering is expected to attract more than 800 global leaders, including CEOs, prominent investors, and senior policymakers, under the theme Break The Mould: Reshaping the Future of African Private Capital.

East Africa continues to solidify its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, with GDP growth projected at approximately 6% for 2026–2027.

Ethiopia, Uganda, and Rwanda are among the strongest-performing economies globally.

The region attracted US$4.1 billion in private capital investments between 2021 and 2025, driven by capital market reforms, foreign exchange liberalisation, and improving governance standards, according to AVCA’s latest report on private capital in East Africa.

Official Event Website: https://www.avcaconference.com/

Registration: Register Here

Event Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill

Key Highlights of the 2026 Summit

A major feature of the conference is the inaugural Private Credit Summit, reflecting the rapid growth of private debt across the continent.

In 2025, private debt deal volume in East Africa rose 30% year-on-year, accounting for 36% of Africa’s total private debt transactions.

Constrained domestic lending conditions are set to accelerate the role of private credit in Africa as local-currency structuring gains become more attractive and Limited Partners rely on dependable cash-yielding strategies in various sectors, including consumer-facing and infrastructure-linked projects
Nadia Kouassi Coulibaly, Head of Research at AVCA

The summit will examine critical themes such as:

Value chain expansion in key sectors
Infrastructure development, including grid sustainability, green energy storage, and critical minerals corridors
Regulatory reforms and liquidity enhancement
Risk mitigation strategies
Innovative financing models for sustainable and inclusive growth

The event builds on momentum from the recent World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings and the 2026 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development.

Confirmed Speakers

The 2026 agenda features a strong line-up of over 190 industry leaders. Notable confirmed speakers include:

Dr. James Mwangi: Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Equity Group Holdings Plc (Keynote Speaker)
Boris Kodjoe: Actor, Director, Producer, Investor, and Philanthropist (Keynote Speaker, VC Summit)
Abi Mustapha-Maduakor: Chief Executive Officer, AVCA – The African Private Capital Association
July Andraous: Managing Partner, Jambaar Capital
Fatoumata Bâ: Founder and Executive Chair, Janngo Capital
Stéphane Bacquaert: Managing Partner, Adenia
Maurizio Caio: Founder and Managing Partner, TLcom Capital
Chris Chijiutomi: Managing Director and Head, Africa, British International Investment
Tidjane Dème: General Partner, Partech Partners
Laurent Demey: Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Amethis
Berhane Demissie: Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Cepheus Growth Capital Partners
Matthieu Ducorroy: Head, Equity and Funds Division, European Investment Bank
Farid Fezoua: Director – Equity, Funds and Venture Capital, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Oliver Game: Private Equity and Venture Capital Lead – East Africa, Proparco
Wandia Gichuru: Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vivo Fashion Group
Gerald Gondo: Group Chief Investment Officer, ICEA LION Group
Hisham Halbouny: Managing Partner, P1 Ventures
Lyndsay Handler: Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Delta40
Grant Howarth: Director and Principal, Metier
‘Tokunboh Ishmael: Co-Founder and Managing Director, Alitheia Capital
Nadia Kouassi Coulibaly: Head of Research, AVCA
Rachel Moré-Oshodi: Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment
Andreata Muforo: Partner, TLcom Capital
Jesse Moore: Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, M-KOPA
Olusola Lawson: Managing Director and Co-Head, African Infrastructure Investment Managers

For the complete verified speaker list and full agenda, please visit:
AVCA 2026 Speakers

Prominent Participants and Regional Significance

Expected participants include senior representatives from leading institutions such as Africa Finance Corporation, Africa50, African Infrastructure Investment Managers, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Fund Managers, British International Investment, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), European Investment Bank (EIB), International Finance Corporation, national pension funds, and sovereign entities.

It’s an exciting time for East Africa and the wider region more broadly. East Africa attracted US$4.1bn in investments between 2021 and 2025. The region’s private capital market has undergone a decisive evolution in recent years and has led to the expanding pipeline of scalable platforms and investment opportunities across mobility, clean energy, agribusiness, and more
Abi Mustapha-Maduakor, Chief Executive Officer of AVCA

Looking Ahead

The AVCA 2026 Annual Conference & VC Summit in Nairobi is indicative of Kenya’s and East Africa’s rising importance as gateways for private capital deployment on the continent.

With a strong focus on private credit, infrastructure, regulatory reform, and innovative financing models, the gathering will facilitate high-level dialogue on reshaping the future of African private capital.

Early registration is recommended, as this is one of the largest Africa-focused private capital gatherings globally.

For the full agenda, speaker bios, and registration, please visit the official website:
https://www.avcaconference.com/

African Private Capital Association (AVCA) Overview

The African Private Capital Association (AVCA) represents private equity and venture capital investors across Africa.

African Private Capital Association website
The official site provides reports, a member directory, deals, and events.

African Private Capital Association membership
Membership includes private equity firms, venture capital funds, DFIs, institutional investors, and advisors investing in Africa.

African Private Capital Association members
Members include African PE/VC firms, global funds, banks, law firms, and development finance institutions.

AVCA Africa
AVCA publishes industry data on fundraising, exits, venture capital, and private equity across the continent.

Africa venture capital
Refers to startup funding from VC firms investing in technology and growth companies across Africa.

Private Equity Africa awards
AVCA hosts annual awards recognising top deals, exits, fundraising, and impact investments.

Venture capital association
Industry associations like AVCA connect investors, provide research, and support capital market development.