Africa's $760m Opportunity

Africa has the capital it needs to industrialize, but it requires the right kind of financing, structured correctly and aimed at the right stage of a project's life, according to Afreximbank's Oluranti Doherty. The continent's financing problem is really a coordination problem, and addressing this issue can help Africa manufacture, add value, and compete globally.

A key example of the potential for growth is the cotton and textiles industry. The value chain of cotton and textiles is visible, traceable, and human, from smallholder farmers to factory floors. For instance, a $40 million commodity export could be transformed into an $800 million manufacturing industry, highlighting the potential for significant growth.

The processing of Africa's raw materials into finished goods has historically happened elsewhere, by design, for centuries. This has resulted in the wealth generated by this process remaining elsewhere, and it is this inheritance that the current generation of African industrialists, financiers, and policymakers is trying to overturn.

## Why it matters Africa's industrial potential is not poorly understood due to a lack of facts, but because the right stories are not being told to the right audiences. The continent's industrial moment is not waiting for more money, but for the right kind of financing, structured correctly and sequenced intelligently. By addressing the coordination problem and providing the right kind of financing, Africa can unlock its potential and compete globally.

The need for the right kind of financing is critical, and it is not just a matter of providing more money. The financing needs to be structured correctly, aimed at the right stage of a project's life, and sequenced intelligently. By doing so, Africa can add value to its raw materials, manufacture goods, and compete globally.

## What happens next As Africa seeks to industrialize and compete globally, the need for the right kind of financing will become increasingly important. With the right financing in place, the continent can unlock its potential, create jobs, and drive economic growth. It is essential for African industrialists, financiers, and policymakers to work together to address the coordination problem and provide the right kind of financing to support the continent's industrialization efforts.