Board Chairman of GCB Bank PLC, Prof. Joshua Alabi has called on African leaders to urgently invest more in addressing the continent’s US$108 billion annual infrastructure gap. Speaking at the T20 side event of the G20 Summit in South Africa, Prof. Alabi underscored the need for smarter partnerships, stronger domestic capacity building, and innovative financing models, pointing to successful examples such as Ghana’s GIIF, as evidence that de-risking and blended finance can unlock significant investments and drive the continent’s transformation.
The African Think Tank for Infrastructure Development event was convened under the theme “Enhancing Africa’s Infrastructure Gap: Transformation Through Investment and Partnership.” Prof. Joshua Alabi, spoke on “Building Sustainable Collaboration: De-risking and Blending for Bankability,” where he emphasized the urgency of bridging Africa’s US$108 billion annual infrastructure gap.
Other distinguished speakers included:
•HE Maj. Gen. Chris A. Garuba (Rtd.), Chairman, African Think Tank for Infrastructure Development
•His Eminence Nteyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, President General, Akwa Ibom State
•Dr. Nthabiseng Moleko, Chairperson, South African National Empowerment Fund
•Mr. Tomohiro Ishikawa, Chief Regulatory Engagement Officer, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group
