Africa’s Capital Markets Get Major Boost as 16 Nations Sign Nairobi Declaration

The inaugural Africa Capital Week 2026 forum is taking place in Nairobi, with delegates from 16 African countries adopting the Nairobi Declaration for Deepening Africa’s Capital Markets.

This framework is aimed at accelerating cross-border investment and strengthening the continent’s ability to finance its development priorities.

The forum, which was officially opened on September 7 by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, brought together more than 500 delegates, including policymakers, regulators, investors and market leaders from across Africa and beyond.

Additionally, the declaration outlines commitments to strengthen the continent’s capital markets through closer regulatory cooperation, expanded securities trading and increased investment in infrastructure.

Key Proposals

Among the key proposals is the formation of an African Securities Regulators Association to coordinate discussions on cross-cutting regulatory issues and harmonise rules that currently slow capital movement across African markets.

Securities exchanges also committed to accelerating market interconnection through the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) by leveraging technology, while market intermediaries pledged to expand intra-African securities trading through the Africa Stockbrokers and Securities Dealers Association (ASSDA).

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In addition, delegates further agreed to accelerate the establishment of a Pan-African Infrastructure Fund to channel a greater share of Africa’s growing pension savings into infrastructure projects across the continent.

Further, the declaration also calls for engagement with the African Union Commission to position capital markets as a key driver of Agenda 2063, while urging stakeholders to finance opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), including regional value chains and intra-African trade.

Participants also committed to advocating for the removal of unnecessary regulatory, tax, foreign exchange, settlement and administrative barriers that hinder capital flows while maintaining safeguards for financial stability and investor protection.

Investment Projects

Furthermore, the forum showcased 20 investment-ready projects including energy, food security, transport, trade, technology, social infrastructure, minerals and private sector development.

Discussions that are focused on financing options, including debt, equity, blended finance, guarantees and public-private partnerships.

Investment engagements will continue from September 9 to 11, 2026 through guided visits to Kenya Vision 2030 flagship projects and private sector investment sites, where delegates will assess project readiness, financing needs, risk allocation and investment structures.

The declaration was presented before Principal Secretary for Economic Planning Dr Bonface Makokha formally closed the forum alongside Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Susan Auma Mang’eni.

Vision 2030

During the closing ceremony, Dr Makokha said governments must transform development plans into bankable projects capable of attracting investment, adding that progress would be reviewed every six months.

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Vision 2030 Delivery Board Chairman and Africa Capital Week 2026 Organising Committee Chair Dr Emmanuel K. Nzai said the forum aims to build a continental platform that connects Africa’s capital, institutions and investment opportunities at scale.

Africa Capital Week has now been established as an annual rotational continental forum, with the second edition scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, from September 6 to 10, 2027.

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Dignitaries at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi during Day 1 of Africa Capital Week 2026
PHOTO/File