S&P Global has released a comprehensive analysis on Africa’s evolving economic landscape, emphasizing the continent’s growing role in global development through renewable energy expansion, financial innovation, and infrastructure advancement. The report, titled *Look Forward: Unlocking Africa*, consolidates research on how Africa can harness its vast natural resources and youthful population to drive long-term, sustainable growth.
Key findings highlight that Africa’s rich reserves of critical minerals present a strategic opportunity to accelerate economic development. However, realizing this potential requires stronger regional integration, industrialization, and improved access to electricity, transport, and digital networks for its expanding population.
The study underscores the importance of multilateral institutions in strengthening capital markets across the continent. These organizations offer financial backing, technical expertise, and policy guidance that can deepen financial systems and support economic resilience. Additionally, blended finance models—combining public and private funds—are gaining traction as effective tools for mobilizing investment toward climate and sustainability goals. Yet challenges such as fragmented markets, regulatory inefficiencies, and limited investor interest point to the need for sustained international cooperation.
Energy transformation remains a central theme. While Africa possesses abundant renewable resources, a significant funding gap persists. Overcoming this barrier demands creative financing mechanisms and targeted government policies to scale clean energy projects.
Infrastructure development is another critical area. Success depends on strong governance, legal frameworks, and institutional capacity to attract investment and manage large-scale projects. Although sustainable debt issuance is rising, current levels remain inadequate to meet urgent needs in climate adaptation, water security, and biodiversity protection.
Samira Mensah, Managing Director for Africa Research and Analytics at S&P Global Ratings, emphasized that unlocking Africa’s full economic potential hinges on global collaboration, technological adoption, and effective use of human and natural capital. She noted the continent stands at a pivotal moment, where strategic investments today can shape inclusive growth for decades.
The report coincides with the inaugural S&P Global Africa Summit 2025, themed ‘The Path to Capital Markets,’ hosted in Johannesburg in partnership with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). The event convenes policymakers, financial leaders, and regional stakeholders to explore actionable strategies for advancing Africa’s financial markets and development agenda.
*Look Forward: Unlocking Africa* is part of S&P Global’s broader research series examining transformative global economic trends. The full publication is available at spglobal.com.
Media Contact:
Isabel Allanwood
S&P Global
+44 7483 368 605
[email protected]
Arnaud Humblot
S&P Global Ratings
+44 7817 126 628
[email protected]
About S&P Global
S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) delivers trusted data, benchmarks, and analytics to help businesses, governments, and individuals make informed decisions in a rapidly changing world. Through its expertise in capital markets, commodities, and emerging technologies, the company advances essential intelligence that enables organizations to plan confidently and act decisively. More information is available at www.spglobal.com.
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S&P Global Publishes Findings on Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potential
Look Forward: Unlocking Africa brings together S&P Global research on the continent ‘s economic outlook n nReport highlights how renewable energy, sustainable and blended finance, capital market development, and infrastructure investment are shaping Africa ‘s future n nJOHANNESBURG, Nov. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Africa ‘s abundant natural resources, young population and expanding middle class are set to redefine the continent ‘s role in global economic growth, sustainable development and the energy transition, S&P Global said in its latest Look Forward Journal. n nLook Forward: Unlocking Africa brings together S&P Global research on the continent ‘s economic outlook, highlighting how renewable energy, sustainable and blended finance, capital market development, and infrastructure investment are shaping Africa ‘s future. The report examines both the opportunities these innovations create for growth and the persistent challenges that continue to slow progress. n nHighlights of this research include: n nUnlocking Africa ‘s economic potential for faster long-term growth : Faster economic growth is needed to increase upward mobility opportunities for Africa ‘s rapidly expanding population, and the continent ‘s vast critical mineral resources could offer a path to unlocking its economic potential. n nThe role of multilateral lending institutions in accelerating capital market development in Africa : Multilateral lending institutions provide financial, technical and policy support that can help to deepen Africa ‘s capital markets and foster long-term economic growth. n nReinforcing private capital mobilization in Africa through blended finance : Blended finance models are gaining momentum as a tool to mobilize private capital for Africa ‘s climate and sustainable development goals, but challenges such as fragmented markets, regulatory hurdles and low investor appetite underscore the need for ongoing global collaboration. n nAfrica ‘s energy transformation calls for innovative financing solutions : The continent ‘s abundant natural resources offer transformative potential for renewable energy, but overcoming the financing gap will require innovative funding solutions and targeted policy support. n nBreaking the mold: Institutional strategies for infrastructure success in Africa : Africa ‘s infrastructure development hinges on robust governance, legal clarity and institutional capacity to mobilize capital and attract investment to address deficits. n nSustainable finance is growing in Africa, but volumes fall short of addressing needs : Although sustainable debt issuance in Africa is climbing, the volume remains insufficient to address critical development and infrastructure challenges, particularly in areas such as climate adaptation, water security and biodiversity preservation. n n”Unlocking Africa ‘s economic potential hinges on sustained global collaboration, as well its ability to harness human capital and natural resources while using new technologies to accelerate long-term sustainable development,” said Samira Mensah, Managing Director for Africa Research and Analytics at S&P Global Ratings. “The continent stands at a crossroads, needing to accelerate regional integration through trade and industrialization while leveraging the energy transition to improve access to transport, electricity, water and digital networks for its growing population.” n nThis publication coincides with the inaugural S&P Global Africa Summit 2025: ‘The Path to Capital Markets, ‘ taking place on November 20 in Johannesburg in collaboration with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). This event will bring together regional and international leaders, policymakers and capital markets stakeholders to explore actionable strategies for unlocking investment and advancing Africa ‘s development agenda through robust financial markets. n nLook Forward: Unlocking Africa is part of the Look Forward research series, special reports that offer a deep dive into the most important themes, trends, and topics that are transforming the global economy. n nTo access the full report, visit: spglobal.com n nMedia Contact: n nIsabel Allanwood n nS&P Global n n+ 44 7483 368 605 n n[email protected] n n[email protected] n nArnaud Humblot n nS&P Global Ratings n n+44 7817 126 628 n n[email protected] n nAbout S&P Global n nS&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) enables businesses, governments, and individuals with trusted data, expertise and technology to make decisions with conviction. We are Advancing Essential Intelligence through world-leading benchmarks, data, and insights that customers need in order to plan confidently, act decisively, and thrive economically in a rapidly changing global landscape. n nFrom helping our customers assess new investments across the capital and commodities markets to guiding them through the energy expansion, acceleration of artificial intelligence, and evolution of public and private markets, we enable the world ‘s leading organizations to unlock opportunities, solve challenges, and plan for tomorrow – today. Learn more at www.spglobal.com. n nSOURCE S&P Global