The 14th edition of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress, held from April 7th to 9th, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, concluded with a strong focus on Africa’s role in shaping the future of global investment and innovation.
The event, themed “The Investment Paradigm Shift: Future Investment Opportunities to Foster Sustainable Economic Growth, Diversity, and Prosperity,” brought together over 180 countries, including key African stakeholders, to discuss strategies for sustainable development, regional integration, and economic resilience.
AIM Congress 2025 reaffirmed its position as the world’s leading investment platform, providing a dynamic space for global leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators to exchange insights, foster partnerships, and explore transformative solutions for economic growth.
Africa was a key focus, with discussions highlighting the continent’s potential to drive global investment trends and innovation.
Africa’s Role in Global Investment
AIM Congress 2025 showcased Africa’s growing importance in the global investment landscape, emphasizing its potential as a hub for innovation and economic transformation.
The Africa Regional Forum, under the theme “From Zones to Impact: African SEZs Reimagined,” explored the evolution of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) into dynamic, innovation-driven ecosystems.
Laura Paez from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) highlighted the rapid growth of SEZs in Africa, with over 237 operational zones by 2020.
However, challenges in diversification and infrastructure remain. Speakers, including Jasveer Singh of Arise IIP and Dr. Manuel Francisco Pedro of Luanda-Bengo SEZ, emphasized the need for public-private partnerships, stronger governance, and alignment with AfCFTA goals to drive intra-African trade and sustainable industrialization.
The forum also stressed the importance of integrating small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into SEZ models to create inclusive economic ecosystems that support local value creation and regional integration.
Tanzania’s Active Participation
Tanzania played an important role at AIM Congress 2025, with the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) actively participating alongside the Bank of Tanzania and other key stakeholders.
TIC, in collaboration with CRDB Bank, showcased Tanzania’s investment opportunities and engaged with global investors to promote the country as a prime destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).
During the Heads of Central Banks Roundtable, Tanzania highlighted its success in controlling inflation and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand trade opportunities.
The country’s efforts to modernize its financial systems and foster regional integration were recognized as key drivers of economic resilience.
TIC representatives also participated in high-level discussions and B2B meetings, promoting Tanzania’s key sectors, including agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and tourism.
These engagements provided a platform to attract international investors and strengthen Tanzania’s position in the global investment landscape.
Smart Cities and Digital Transformation
Day 3 of AIM Congress 2025 focused on the transformative role of smart technologies in urban development, with a particular emphasis on Africa’s potential to leverage digital infrastructure for sustainable growth. The “Smart Cities and Human-Centric Innovation” session featured global leaders, including UN-Habitat, Huawei, and Siemens, discussing AI integration, clean energy, and digital connectivity.
The session underscored the importance of youth empowerment and infrastructure modernization in revitalizing African cities. Discussions also explored how technologies like 5G and AI can bridge the digital divide and create inclusive urban environments, particularly in Africa.
UAE-Africa Collaboration
The event also spotlighted the growing collaboration between the UAE and Africa, with high-level forums addressing investment opportunities and cross-border partnerships. The Africa Regional Forum emphasized the role of infrastructure development and public-private partnerships in fostering sustainable growth across the continent.
Conclusion
AIM Congress 2025 successfully highlighted Africa’s critical role in the global investment landscape, with Tanzania standing out as a key participant. Through its active involvement, TIC showcased Tanzania’s investment potential, engaged with global stakeholders, and reinforced the country’s commitment to fostering economic growth and regional integration.
AIM Congress continues to be a transformative platform for global investment, driving collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development.
TanzaniaInvest is proud to have been a partner of AIM Congress 2025, supporting its mission to drive global investment and promote sustainable development.
