As Africa seeks to close its growing infrastructure financing gap—estimated at over USD 100 billion annually—the continent’s pension and sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are emerging as powerful enablers of long-term, sustainable development.
With combined assets exceeding USD 2 trillion, these institutional investors are being called upon to move beyond traditional markets and channel capital into transformative projects that deliver both financial and socio-economic returns.
This critical shift will take centre stage at the 9th edition of the Pension Funds and Alternative Investments Africa Summit (PIAfrica 2026), taking place 11–12 February 2026 at the Hilton Mauritius Spa and Resort. The summit will convene over 200 senior executives, including 44+ pension funds and SWFs from 25 countries, to explore innovative investment strategies, regulatory reforms, and partnership models shaping the future of African institutional capital.
Driving Infrastructure Investment Across the Continent
Across Africa, several markets are demonstrating how institutional capital can be harnessed to build resilient economies and accelerate growth:
- Kenya has pioneered a collaborative investment model through the Kenya Pension Funds Investment Consortium (KEPFIC), pooling pension assets to finance energy, housing, and infrastructure projects. Recent reforms now allow pension funds to allocate up to 10% of assets toward infrastructure—unlocking over USD 1 billion in potential local investment.
- Nigeria continues to advance frameworks through the National Pension Commission (PenCom), enabling pension funds to invest more confidently in infrastructure, private equity, and alternative assets. These measures aim to balance portfolio diversification with national development priorities.
- In Namibia and Botswana, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds have increasingly collaborated with development finance institutions to co-invest in infrastructure and renewable energy, creating scalable models for regional replication.
These examples signal a broader continental trend: Africa’s institutional investors are no longer passive capital holders—they are becoming key drivers of economic transformation and sustainable development.
Trustees and Policymakers at the Centre of Change
As pension and sovereign wealth funds evolve from passive investors to active development partners, trustees and policymakers play a vital role in this transition. Strengthening governance, enhancing risk management, and improving capacity to evaluate alternative assets will be crucial to ensure these investments deliver long-term value.
This is where PIAfrica plays a role — convening Africa’s leading pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, regulators, and asset managers alongside international investors to explore innovative investment models, regulatory reform, and opportunities for collaborative infrastructure financing.
Key Themes at PIAfrica 2026
- Unlocking Infrastructure Finance – Mobilising institutional capital for transformative projects
- Agile Regulations – Aligning pension and SWF frameworks with evolving alternative markets
- Smart Private Markets – Diversification and risk management strategies
- Sustainable Investing – Embedding ESG principles and measurable impact
- Trustee Empowerment – Building governance capacity for long-term resilience
Event Details
Event: Pension Funds and Alternative Investments Africa (PIAfrica 2026)
Theme: Empowering Africa’s Institutional Capital for Growth and Development
Dates: 11 – 12 February 2026
Location: Hilton Mauritius Spa and Resort, Mauritius
Website: https://pensionfundsafrica.com
Media Contact: piafrica@ametrade.org
About AMETRADE Ltd
Founded in 2006, AME Trade Ltd has become a leading force in facilitating trade and investment across Africa’s emerging markets. With over 20 years of experience, we specialise in industry-specific B2B events, conferences, and digital marketing services, particularly in the Mining, Energy, Finance, and Oil & Gas sectors. Operating in 29 African countries, we partner with top industry experts and local SMEs to deliver high-impact events that drive sustainable development and economic growth across the continent. Join us in our efforts to shape a prosperous, sustainable and inclusive economic development in Africa. Visit www.ametrade.org to learn more. Follow us on: LINKEDIN | TWITTER
