Africa, with its stunning landscapes, rich cultural diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, deep expertise, unwavering resilience, and innovative drive, stands poised for a future brimming with promise and abundant opportunities.
This Africa Day, some of Baker McKenzie's Africa team reflect on the opportunities they see for the continent.
"The Economist Intelligence Unit's 2025 outlook for Africa predicts accelerated economic activity, driven by easing inflation, interest rate cuts, and key funding and market reforms. While we anticipate robust growth and increased foreign direct investment across many sectors, we remain mindful of the ongoing challenges posed by geopolitical, social, and economic factors. We are always available to our clients to discuss and advise on their growth strategies for Africa as they look to explore new opportunities and expand their businesses."
Michael Foundethakis – Africa Steering Committee Chair and Global Head of Project and Trade & Export Finance, Paris
"We are seeing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) sovereign wealth funds and private enterprises intensifying their African investment portfolios. According to a report by Afreximbank, partnership between Africa and the GCC countries presents considerable advantages for the African continent with the potential for increased foreign direct investment, infrastructure development and job creation. Our Africa experts have the experience and local knowledge to help Middle East clients bring their Africa strategies to life."
Adnan Doha – Partner, Dubai
"Sustainability-focused initiatives and major energy and infrastructure projects backed by global players are crucial for Africa's low carbon future. Creative approaches are needed to address the gaps in logistics, transport and utilities infrastructure, and DFIs need support from other financiers to bridge the gap. A broader ecosystem of lenders contributing to multi-finance and blended solutions would support the de-risking of deals. Baker McKenzie is committed to supporting our clients as they develop and finance these much-needed projects."
Lamyaa Gadelhak – Partner, Cairo and Chair of Global Project Finance Group
"Africa offers a wealth of opportunities for investors. Key drivers include the recently implemented free trade agreement, rapid digitalization, the introduction of investor-friendly and public interest policies, and stricter enforcement of regulations."
Kamal Nasrollah – Partner, Casablanca
"Over recent years we have seen increasing support for arbitration across the African continent with emerging arbitration hubs and increasing international collaborations between Africa institutions and their international counterparts. We are also seeing worldwide dispute resolution being reshaped by advances in artificial intelligence, with great potential to improve efficiencies and access to justice."
Michelle Porter-Wright – Partner, Johannesburg
"Africa's evolving regulatory environment supports a more seamless flow of capital across borders, and increasing intra-regional trade through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The outlook for Foreign Direct Investment in 2025 is optimistic. This is driven by approximately 4% predicted GDP growth creating a more attractive environment for investors, as well as sectoral opportunities in areas such as infrastructure, technology and digitalisation, renewable energy and agriculture. While challenges such as geopolitical and economic uncertainties remain, the potential for growth and investment in Africa's M&A and private equity landscape is significant."
Lydia Shadrach-Razzino – Partner, Johannesburg
"At COP29, African leaders called for an ambitious new climate finance target of USD1.3 trillion by 2030. African countries showcased their immense renewable energy potential. Expanding these projects would significantly cut emissions as well as contributing to a more sustainable and resilient economy for the continent. Specific opportunities include leveraging blended finance, debt-for-nature swaps, and utilizing carbon-based projects to generate revenue through carbon trading."
Matthew Cox – Partner, London
This Africa Day, some of Baker McKenzie's Africa team reflect on the opportunities they see for the continent.
"The Economist Intelligence Unit's 2025 outlook for Africa predicts accelerated economic activity, driven by easing inflation, interest rate cuts, and key funding and market reforms. While we anticipate robust growth and increased foreign direct investment across many sectors, we remain mindful of the ongoing challenges posed by geopolitical, social, and economic factors. We are always available to our clients to discuss and advise on their growth strategies for Africa as they look to explore new opportunities and expand their businesses."
Michael Foundethakis – Africa Steering Committee Chair and Global Head of Project and Trade & Export Finance, Paris
"We are seeing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) sovereign wealth funds and private enterprises intensifying their African investment portfolios. According to a report by Afreximbank, partnership between Africa and the GCC countries presents considerable advantages for the African continent with the potential for increased foreign direct investment, infrastructure development and job creation. Our Africa experts have the experience and local knowledge to help Middle East clients bring their Africa strategies to life."
Adnan Doha – Partner, Dubai
"Sustainability-focused initiatives and major energy and infrastructure projects backed by global players are crucial for Africa's low carbon future. Creative approaches are needed to address the gaps in logistics, transport and utilities infrastructure, and DFIs need support from other financiers to bridge the gap. A broader ecosystem of lenders contributing to multi-finance and blended solutions would support the de-risking of deals. Baker McKenzie is committed to supporting our clients as they develop and finance these much-needed projects."
Lamyaa Gadelhak – Partner, Cairo and Chair of Global Project Finance Group
"Africa offers a wealth of opportunities for investors. Key drivers include the recently implemented free trade agreement, rapid digitalization, the introduction of investor-friendly and public interest policies, and stricter enforcement of regulations."
Kamal Nasrollah – Partner, Casablanca
"Over recent years we have seen increasing support for arbitration across the African continent with emerging arbitration hubs and increasing international collaborations between Africa institutions and their international counterparts. We are also seeing worldwide dispute resolution being reshaped by advances in artificial intelligence, with great potential to improve efficiencies and access to justice."
Michelle Porter-Wright – Partner, Johannesburg
"Africa's evolving regulatory environment supports a more seamless flow of capital across borders, and increasing intra-regional trade through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The outlook for Foreign Direct Investment in 2025 is optimistic. This is driven by approximately 4% predicted GDP growth creating a more attractive environment for investors, as well as sectoral opportunities in areas such as infrastructure, technology and digitalisation, renewable energy and agriculture. While challenges such as geopolitical and economic uncertainties remain, the potential for growth and investment in Africa's M&A and private equity landscape is significant."
Lydia Shadrach-Razzino – Partner, Johannesburg
"At COP29, African leaders called for an ambitious new climate finance target of USD1.3 trillion by 2030. African countries showcased their immense renewable energy potential. Expanding these projects would significantly cut emissions as well as contributing to a more sustainable and resilient economy for the continent. Specific opportunities include leveraging blended finance, debt-for-nature swaps, and utilizing carbon-based projects to generate revenue through carbon trading."
Matthew Cox – Partner, London
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