- The European Investment Bank (EIB) is presenting three major initiatives in Zambia and the United Kingdom this week aimed at unlocking new opportunities, fostering economic growth and creating jobs with a lasting impact across Africa.
The EIB is at the forefront of strengthening financial sector best practices in Africa through dynamic and diverse collaboration with African banking partners.
The three initiatives highlight the importance of these partnerships in tackling investment barriers and sharing best practice through enhanced cooperation.
EIB Southern Africa SME Banking and Microfinance Academy
The 8th annual academy brings together more than 100 regional banking leaders in Lusaka, Zambia, for three days of knowledge sharing. The discussions transcend boundaries and delve into vital topics such as climate finance, digitalisation, and targeted financing for agriculture and women-led businesses. In recent years, the EIB has helped to improve the specialist skills of more than 40 000 African financial professionals. Past academies have been held in Southern, West and East Africa, where they promoted innovation and financial inclusion in African economies.
7th EIB Finance in Africa Report
This publication dissects critical issues confronting African banks. It reaffirms the resilience displayed by these banks in the face of the pandemic and ongoing energy and food price shocks. Equally importantly, it highlights the transformative potential of digitalisation in Africa’s financial landscape and key benefits of increasing access to finance by businesses led by women and investment for climate resilience.
Africa Venture Finance Programme at Oxford university’s Saïd Business School
This week, Oxford hosts a deep exchange of best practices with venture capital investors from across the continent, as part of Boost Africa. Boost Africa is a joint initiative of the EIB and the African Development Bank, with support from the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States Secretariat, promoting innovation, technology, and growth finance across the continent. This collaboration sparks innovation, nurtures startups and contributes to Africa’s sustainable economic growth.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
