S&P Global Publishes Findings on Unlocking Africa's Economic Potential

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S&P Global (NYSE:SPGI) published Look Forward: Unlocking Africa on November 18, 2025, a research compilation examining Africa's economic outlook and development priorities.

The report highlights four drivers shaping the continent's future: renewable energy, sustainable and blended finance, capital market development, and infrastructure investment. It stresses the need for faster long‑term growth, multilateral support for capital markets, innovative financing to close energy gaps, and stronger governance for infrastructure projects. The publication notes rising sustainable debt issuance but concludes volumes remain insufficient for climate adaptation, water security and biodiversity needs.

The release coincides with the inaugural S&P Global Africa Summit 2025 on November 20 in Johannesburg focused on pathways to capital markets.

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• Look Forward: Unlocking Africa brings together S&P Global research on the continent's economic outlook
• Report highlights how renewable energy, sustainable and blended finance, capital market development, and infrastructure investment are shaping Africa's future

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Africa's abundant natural resources, young population and expanding middle class are set to redefine the continent's role in global economic growth, sustainable development and the energy transition, S&P Global said in its latest Look Forward Journal.

Look Forward: Unlocking Africa brings together S&P Global research on the continent's economic outlook, highlighting how renewable energy, sustainable and blended finance, capital market development, and infrastructure investment are shaping Africa's future. The report examines both the opportunities these innovations create for growth and the persistent challenges that continue to slow progress.

Highlights of this research include:

• Unlocking Africa's economic potential for faster long-term growth : Faster economic growth is needed to increase upward mobility opportunities for Africa's rapidly expanding population, and the continent's vast critical mineral resources could offer a path to unlocking its economic potential.
  
  
• The role of multilateral lending institutions in accelerating capital market development in Africa : Multilateral lending institutions provide financial, technical and policy support that can help to deepen Africa's capital markets and foster long-term economic growth.
  
  
• Reinforcing private capital mobilization in Africa through blended finance : Blended finance models are gaining momentum as a tool to mobilize private capital for Africa's climate and sustainable development goals, but challenges such as fragmented markets, regulatory hurdles and low investor appetite underscore the need for ongoing global collaboration.
  
  
• Africa's energy transformation calls for innovative financing solutions : The continent's abundant natural resources offer transformative potential for renewable energy, but overcoming the financing gap will require innovative funding solutions and targeted policy support.
  
  
• Breaking the mold: Institutional strategies for infrastructure success in Africa : Africa's infrastructure development hinges on robust governance, legal clarity and institutional capacity to mobilize capital and attract investment to address deficits.
  
  
• Sustainable finance is growing in Africa, but volumes fall short of addressing needs : Although sustainable debt issuance in Africa is climbing, the volume remains insufficient to address critical development and infrastructure challenges, particularly in areas such as climate adaptation, water security and biodiversity preservation.

"Unlocking Africa's economic potential hinges on sustained global collaboration, as well its ability to harness human capital and natural resources while using new technologies to accelerate long-term sustainable development," said Samira Mensah, Managing Director for Africa Research and Analytics at S&P Global Ratings. "The continent stands at a crossroads, needing to accelerate regional integration through trade and industrialization while leveraging the energy transition to improve access to transport, electricity, water and digital networks for its growing population."

This publication coincides with the inaugural S&P Global Africa Summit 2025: 'The Path to Capital Markets,' taking place on November 20 in Johannesburg in collaboration with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). This event will bring together regional and international leaders, policymakers and capital markets stakeholders to explore actionable strategies for unlocking investment and advancing Africa's development agenda through robust financial markets.

Look Forward: Unlocking Africa is part of the Look Forward research series, special reports that offer a deep dive into the most important themes, trends, and topics that are transforming the global economy.

To access the full report, visit: spglobal.com

Media Contact:

Isabel Allanwood
S&P Global
+ 44 7483 368 605
isabel.allanwood@spglobal.com 
PR_COE@spglobal.com

Arnaud Humblot
S&P Global Ratings
+44 7817 126 628
arnaud.humblot@spglobal.com 

About S&P Global

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) enables businesses, governments, and individuals with trusted data, expertise and technology to make decisions with conviction. We are Advancing Essential Intelligence through world-leading benchmarks, data, and insights that customers need in order to plan confidently, act decisively, and thrive economically in a rapidly changing global landscape.  

From helping our customers assess new investments across the capital and commodities markets to guiding them through the energy expansion, acceleration of artificial intelligence, and evolution of public and private markets, we enable the world's leading organizations to unlock opportunities, solve challenges, and plan for tomorrow – today. Learn more at www.spglobal.com.

 

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SOURCE S&P Global

FAQ

What key topics does S&P Global's Look Forward: Unlocking Africa (SPGI) cover?

The report focuses on renewable energy, sustainable/blended finance, capital market development, and infrastructure investment.

When was Look Forward: Unlocking Africa by S&P Global (SPGI) published?

The report was published on November 18, 2025.

How does the SPGI report describe sustainable finance progress in Africa?

It says sustainable debt issuance is rising but the volume remains insufficient to meet major development and adaptation needs.

What financing challenges does S&P Global (SPGI) identify for Africa's energy transition?

The report highlights a financing gap for renewable projects that requires innovative funding solutions and targeted policy support.

What event coincides with the S&P Global (SPGI) report release and when is it?

The inaugural S&P Global Africa Summit 2025 — 'The Path to Capital Markets' — is scheduled for November 20, 2025 in Johannesburg.