The African Catalyst Hosts InfraConnect 4.0 to Advance Capital Mobilisation for Africa’s Infrastructure Pipeline

As global conversations around infrastructure investment continue to intensify, the fourth edition of InfraConnect, held under the theme “Mobilising Capital: Accelerating Africa’s Infrastructure Pipeline,” was successfully concluded on the 23rd of September 2026 at The Ballroom, Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, marking a significant milestone in strengthening capital mobilisation for Africa’s infrastructure pipeline.

Building on the success of its previous editions, the invitation-only event, hosted by Brickstone Africa and co-sponsored by Kenna LP brought together a dynamic cohort of stakeholders including project developers, investors, development finance institutions, government agencies, and financial and legal advisers.

The event provided a robust platform to explore practical pathways to strengthen infrastructure pipelines and mobilise capital, deepening knowledge and unlocking innovative approaches to closing Africa’s investment readiness gap.

A special presentation, “The Long Road to Bankability,” delivered by Mr Femi Awofala, CEO of The African Catalyst, traced the evolution of infrastructure finance in Africa across several distinct eras, following the journey from an infrastructure need to a project idea, to a defined project, to one that is genuinely investment-ready, deal-agreed, and able to reach financial close and construction. His central argument: bankability isn’t a 200-page feasibility study or a polished deck; it is an accumulation of evidence across three pillars — predictable cashflow, fixed construction delivery and operations, and strong governance and sustainability.

Throughout the program, participants engaged in two panel sessions covering critical topics in early-stage equity and long-term institutional debt. The first, “Cracking Early-Stage Equity: From Perceived Risk to Investable Opportunity,” moderated by Jacinda Efemenah, Programme Manager, Investment Readiness at The African Catalyst, brought together Joshua Egba, CITP Senior West Africa Representative at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Jobalo Oshikanlu, Deputy CEO at ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment Ltd, Dr. Ibrahim Suleiman Head of Infrastructure Development & Strategy at Dangote Infrastructure and Logistics (DIAL), and Nimma Jo-Madugu ACIS, CIPP/E Partner at KENNA Partners. The panel converged on a consistent set of readiness markers: a credible sponsor with real execution capacity, genuine market demand, a viable pathway to financing, regulatory clarity, and demonstrable development impact.

 

The second session, “Unlocking Long-Term Institutional Debt at Scale: Key Drivers for Growth,” moderated by Timoni Akindolie, Head of Investor Relations, AfricA Finance Corporation, focused on one of the structural challenges confronting infrastructure development in Nigeria: access to long-term, affordable debt. The session examined what it takes for sponsors to reach financial close, featuring Dupe Dabiri; Partner at Templars, Dolu Olugbenjo; Executive Director, Alternative Investment, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management & Chief Investment Officer, Stanbic IBTC Infrastructure Funds, Ekeminiabasi Isung, CFA, Fund Manager, CardinalStone Umbrella Infrastructure Fund, Seun Tubi, CFA, CISSP, Head of Structured & Project Finance at the Bank of Industry, and Francis Oputeh, Head of Investment Banking , Rand Merchant Bank,

 

A key highlight of InfraConnect 4.0 was the launch of The African Catalyst Magazine, by the Chief launcher, Bode Ojeniyi; Group Managing Director, Sky Capital & Financial Allied International Limited, and two hours of structured, round-based networking designed to maximise meaningful connections across the room.

The conclusion of InfraConnect 4.0 signals renewed momentum towards mobilising capital and strengthening Africa’s infrastructure pipeline. Participants are encouraged to apply the knowledge and connections gained during the event to accelerate bankable projects across the ecosystem.

As InfraConnect 4.0 concludes, it leaves behind a strong call to action: for Africa to unlock its infrastructure potential, stakeholders must deepen collaboration around capacity building, investment readiness, and ecosystem development.

About The African Catalyst

The African Catalyst (TAC) is committed to building capacity, fostering collaboration, and mobilising capital for infrastructure projects across Africa. Through practical engagement and ecosystem development, TAC supports the creation of sustainable, bankable, inclusive, and impactful infrastructure across the continent.