By John Ikani
Morocco is, for the first time, hosting the Africa Financial Summit (AFIS), a landmark gathering currently underway in Casablanca.
The two-day summit, which began today and ends tomorrow, has attracted over 1,000 African leaders eager to explore bold ideas for reshaping the continent’s financial landscape. According to event organisers, this year’s theme, “A New Era: Time to Mobilise Africa’s Financial Power,” focuses on unlocking Africa’s economic potential amid emerging opportunities.
The event’s opening ceremony featured key Moroccan figures, including Nadia Fettah, Minister of Economy and Finance; Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Trade; and Karim Zidane, Minister of Investment.
A robust programme of 30 panels and roundtable discussions is addressing pressing topics such as reducing trade costs, accelerating investment, and fostering stronger economic ties between African nations. A major ambition is to establish a unified stock market to bridge fragmented financial systems across the continent.
Another critical focus is improving financial inclusion for Africa’s vast informal workforce, which accounts for 83% of the economy. Delegates are examining how digital innovations can extend banking and insurance services to underserved communities.
AFIS, launched in 2021 by the Jeune Afrique Media Group, is co-organised with the International Finance Corporation. The summit serves as a platform for exchanging transformative ideas aimed at strengthening Africa’s financial systems and navigating regional and global disruptions.
The 2022 edition, held in Lomé, Togo, centred on fortifying Africa’s financial sector, with discussions on climate funding, digital finance, regulatory strategies, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and asset tokenisation.
By hosting the summit this year, Morocco underscores its growing leadership in driving Africa’s economic transformation and integrating the continent into the global financial ecosystem.
