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The African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) reported a 20% increase in profit for 2025 as African leaders renewed calls for stronger continental financial institutions to drive development and reduce dependence on external financing.
Speaking during ATIDI’s 26th Annual General Meeting in Nairobi, President William Ruto urged African countries to strengthen homegrown financial institutions capable of mobilising capital for infrastructure, trade and economic growth.
“For years, we have called for a fairer global financial architecture. That call remains right. But Africa cannot wait for reform elsewhere. While the world debates reform, Africa must build,” said Ruto.
The President endorsed the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD), an initiative launched by the African Development Bank Group to strengthen African financial institutions, lower borrowing costs and unlock domestic investment across the continent.
Africa holds nearly $4 trillion in long-term domestic savings through pension funds, insurance assets and central bank reserves, yet the continent continues to face an annual financing gap exceeding $400 billion.
Ruto also called for ATIDI’s recapitalisation to $2 billion, arguing that stronger guarantee institutions would help mobilise significantly more private investment across Africa.
During the meeting, Kenya pledged to increase its shareholding in ATIDI from $25 million to $65 million, subject to the necessary national approvals. The government also handed over land for the construction of ATIDI’s permanent headquarters in Nairobi.
ATIDI also released its 2025 financial results, reporting continued growth across key performance indicators.
Profit for the year increased by 20% to $71.4 million while total assets rose by 20% to $1.06 billion. Total equity grew by 12% to $883 million as the institution expanded its role in supporting investment across the continent.
Total exposure increased to $9.2 billion from $8.9 billion in 2024, reflecting growing demand for political risk insurance and credit guarantee products that help attract private investment into African markets.
ATIDI CEO Manuel Moses said the institution has facilitated more than $93 billion in investments across Africa since its establishment by providing risk mitigation solutions that improve investor confidence.
He also urged member states to continue recognising ATIDI’s preferred creditor status, describing it as critical to maintaining investor confidence and supporting the institution’s guarantee business.
African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah said African financial institutions have an important role in addressing the persistent mispricing of African investment risk, which continues to increase the cost of capital across the continent.
He announced that the African Development Bank had increased its shareholding in ATIDI five-fold, making it the institution’s largest institutional shareholder, while also supporting additional African countries to join the organisation.
The meeting concluded with renewed calls for greater private sector investment, deeper collaboration among African financial institutions and stronger mechanisms to mobilise domestic capital for infrastructure, industrialisation and sustainable economic development.
