Continental Leaders Gather to Address Africa’s $2.5 Trillion Infrastructure Gap and Drive Capital Markets Integration
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The Africa Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) 2025, the continent’s premier gathering for capital markets development, will convene from 7-9 October 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The forum brings together over 100 distinguished speakers and 500+ senior executives, policymakers, and investors to address critical challenges facing African capital markets and unlock the continent’s immense economic potential.
With Africa requiring $2.5 trillion in infrastructure investment by 2030 and capital markets representing less than 15% of GDP compared to global averages of 40-50%, ACMF 2025 arrives at a pivotal moment for the continent’s financial transformation.
HIGH-LEVEL MINISTERIAL AND CENTRAL BANK PARTICIPATION
The forum features an unprecedented lineup of African leadership, including:
Ministerial Participation:
• Hon. Doudou Roussel Fwamba Likunde, Minister of Finance, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
• Hon. Buah Saidy, Governor, Central Bank of Gambia
• Hon. Aubin Belalahy, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Madagascar
UN and Development Finance Leaders:
• Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy
African Development Bank Senior Leadership:
• Ahmed Rashad Attout, Director, Financial Sector Development Department
• Akane Sanankoua Zoukpo, Division Manager, Capital Markets Development Division
• Wale Shonibare, Director, Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulations
Sovereign Wealth Fund and Pension Fund CEOs:
• Aminu Umar-Sadiq, Managing Director and CEO, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)
• Simba Chinyemba, Chief Investment Officer, Mutapa Investment Fund (Sovereign Wealth Fund of Zimbabwe)
• Absalom T. Dlamini, Former Prime Minister of Eswatini and Managing Director, Tibiyo Taka
Ngwane (Eswatini Sovereign Wealth Fund)
• Musa Mabesa, Principal Executive Officer, Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF)
• Shafeeq Abrahams, Chief Executive and Principal Officer, Eskom Pension and Provident Fund (EPPF)
COMPREHENSIVE STOCK EXCHANGE LEADERSHIP
ACMF 2025 will host CEOs and senior executives from major African stock exchanges:
• Valdene Reddy, Director, Capital Markets, Johannesburg Stock Exchange
• Yazid Benmouhoub, Chief Executive Officer, Algiers Stock Exchange
• Nicholas Kabaso, Chief Executive Officer, Lusaka Securities Exchange
• Justin Bgoni, Chief Executive Officer, Zimbabwe Stock Exchange
• David Wainaina, Chief Operating Officer, Nairobi Securities Exchange
• Sunil Benimandhu, Chief Executive Officer, Stock Exchange of Mauritius
• Tiaan Bazuin, Chief Executive Officer, Namibia Securities Exchange
• Pedro Fredrico Cossa, Director General, Bolsa de Valores de Moçambique
• Thapelo Moribame, Head of Market Development, Botswana Stock Exchange
MAJOR PRIVATE SECTOR AND INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS
Leading private sector voices include:
Banking and Finance:
• Razia Khan, Chief Economist for Africa & Middle East, Standard Chartered
• Richard Stout, Head of Equity Capital Markets, SA and SSA, Standard Bank
• Chetan Jeeva, Head Corporate & Leveraged Finance, South Africa, Absa
• David Cowan, Africa Economist, Citi Investment Management:
• Mark Tindall, Chief Executive Officer, Tana Africa Capital
• Carl Rothmaan, Chief Executive Officer, Sanlam Investment Group
• Samantha Pokroy, Founder & CEO, Sanari Capital
• Rachel Moré-Oshodi, Managing Director & CEO, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment
Regional Development Finance:
• Pearl Sebakeng, Head of SOEs, Sovereigns and Corporates, DBSA
• Sarvesh Suri, Regional Industry Director, Infrastructure & Natural Resources, IFC
• Jules Ngankam, Group CEO, Africa Guarantee Fund
• Muhamet Fall, Global Director, Industries, MIGA
KEY FORUM THEMES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The three-day forum will address five critical tracks:
1. Market Infrastructure & Integration – Regional exchange consolidation and cross-border settlement systems
2. Sovereign & Corporate Financing – Innovative bond structures and local currency market development
3. Investment & Asset Management – Pension fund mobilization and private equity ecosystems
4. Fintech & Digital Innovation – Central Bank Digital Currencies and blockchain applications
5. Sustainable Finance – Green bonds and ESG integration frameworks
COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF AFRICAN MARKETS
PRE-EVENT: CENTRAL BANKS AND SOVEREIGNS FORUM
Preceding the main forum, the African Central Banks, Sovereigns and Official Institutions Forum will convene under Chatham House rules, facilitating confidential high-level policy discussions. Media will have access to interview opportunities and background briefings with senior officials outside the formal proceedings.
INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION ACROSS SECTORS
The forum extends beyond traditional finance to include leaders from:
Energy and Infrastructure:
• Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, Chief Executive Officer, DLO Energy
• Anton-Louis Olivier, Chief Executive Officer, Serengeti Energy
• Dr. Urishanie Govender, Chief Sustainability Officer, Harmony Gold Mining
Mining and Natural Resources:
• Aboubacar Koulibaly, Head of Country, Guinea, Rio Tinto
• Tefo Molosiwa, Head of Policy and Planning: Sustainable Development and Risk, De Beers Group
• Henrique Kiaku Simão, Vice Chairman, Tosyali Iron & Steel Angola (TISA)
Technology and Innovation:
• Unnathi Kamlana, Commissioner, Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)
• Eguarekhide Longe, Managing Director, NASD OTC Securities Exchange
• William Thompson, Chief Financial Officer, Yellow
INTERNATIONAL EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
The forum includes international perspectives to enhance learning and best practices:
• Yukti Sharma, Head of Listings, National Stock Exchange India (NSE)
• Clemens Calice, CEO and Founding Partner, Cygnum Capital
ABOUT THE AFRICA CAPITAL MARKETS FORUM
The Africa Capital Markets Forum is the continent’s premier platform for advancing capital markets development, fostering investment, and accelerating inclusive economic growth. The forum delivers comprehensive insights, strategic knowledge, and forward-looking perspectives from Africa’s most distinguished finance leaders and international experts.
ACMF 2025 serves as the definitive gathering where policymakers, regulators, institutional investors, and market participants collaborate to shape the future of African finance and address the continent’s most pressing developmental challenges.
