Despite a turbulent global environment, Africa’s financial markets are showing signs of resilience and reform, according to the Africa Financial Markets Index (AFMI). Countries such as Uganda and Rwanda advanced through fintech-friendly regulation and market modernization. At the same time, South Africa, Mauritius, and Nigeria maintained their lead thanks to strong institutional frameworks and deeper capital markets.

Global investors are turning to Africa with renewed focus, drawn to six fast-growing sectors: agriculture, critical minerals, data centers, renewable energy, oil and gas, and manufacturing. Tens of billions of dollars are already flowing into the continent this year, as global trade realigns in response to U.S. tariffs.

Africa holds an estimated US$4 trillion in untapped domestic capital, yet much of it remains locked in low-yield assets rather than fueling transformative investments—what the United Bank for Africa (UBA) describes as a “systematic misallocation” of financial resources.