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The German development bank KfW Development Bank has become the latest shareholder in the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance in a bid to strengthen the insurer’s capital base and its capacity to support trade and investment across Africa.
KfW joins as the 13th institutional shareholder in ATIDI, a move that signals deeper economic ties between Germany and African markets.
The signing of the subscription agreement was marked in Nairobi during a meeting between ATIDI CEO Manuel Moses and Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali Radovan. The development reflects Germany’s continued commitment to supporting African institutions that facilitate trade and investment across the continent.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ATIDI CEO Manuel Moses said the milestone marked a significant step in strengthening the institution’s partnership with KfW which create more opportunities for German investors in Africa and affirming ATIDI’s position as a leading development insurer
“This milestone is iconic in many ways. First, it elevates our already dynamic bond with KfW and creates more opportunities for German investors looking to engage in Africa,” Moses said.
“It is also a recognition of ATIDI’s earned status as Africa’s top development insurer and the acknowledgement of the soundness of our business. Last, it underscores the power of partnerships in a global context increasingly marked by volatility and uncertainty. ATIDI will spare no effort to make this partnership a successful one.”
KfW has invested $32 million to acquire a D2-class shareholding in ATIDI, a category reserved for Export Credit Agencies and non-African public entities. Of this, USD 18.4 million is funded through Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), while $13.6 million comes from KfW’s own resources.
This shareholding grants KfW participation in ATIDI’s governance and decision-making structures and aligns with efforts to strengthen German trade and investment flows into Africa under initiatives such as the G20 Compact with Africa.
The investment builds on an existing partnership between the two institutions. On behalf of BMZ, KfW has previously supported multiple African countries’ membership in ATIDI with over USD 100 million in financing, helping expand the insurer’s ability to mitigate risk and attract private capital into African markets.
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Commenting on the partnership, Christiane Laibach, Member of the Executive Board at KfW, said the partnership will enhance business opportunities for both European and German investors to create prosperity and mutual benefit and at the same time creating innovative insurance solutions that attract investments to the continent.
“We intend to further enhance business opportunities for European and German investors in Africa to create prosperity and development for mutual benefit. Our membership is executed on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is only the latest culmination of a successful cooperation that has enabled the ATIDI membership of several African states and has created innovative insurance solutions to attract foreign investment on the continent,” Laibach said.
Established in 1948, KfW is Germany’s state-owned development bank and a key implementing partner of BMZ in international financial cooperation. The institution finances projects across sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, sustainability and small business development in emerging markets.
Its entry into ATIDI is expected to help stimulate up to $500 million in trade and investment between German companies and African economies.
Over the past 25 years, ATIDI has grown into one of Africa’s leading development insurers and among the continent’s highest-rated financial institutions. It works with major regional and global partners including the African Union, the World Bank Group, COMESA, the European Investment Bank and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation to deliver credit and investment insurance solutions across the continent.
Beyond capital, the partnership positions ATIDI and KfW to bridge European financial expertise with Africa’s growing investment landscape. By combining KfW’s development finance experience with ATIDI’s regional market intelligence, the collaboration is expected to unlock new investment opportunities, strengthen trade corridors and support long-term economic growth across Africa.
