The 4th Annual Africa Infrastructure and Power Forum will take place in Beijing, China 15-16th October 2015.

8 of Africa’s Ministers of Energy and Finance are expected to gather in Beijing to outline current investment opportunities’.

 In a release by the African Press Organisation, the proposed forum has been billed to mark a turning point for African investment as global investor demand for African opportunities keeps increasing.

High-level speakers meant to anchor proceedings at the forum include H.E Hon, Henry Rotich, Cabinet Secretary for the Treasury from Kenya, H.E. Hon. Matadi Atadi Nenga Gamanda, Minister of Energy and Water Resources from DR Congo, H.E. Hon Christopher Yaluma, Minister of Energy, Zambia, among others.

The forum will play host to project presentations featuring major opportunities, including the East to West Landbridge, East African Standard Gauge Railways, dry port development in Ghana, unbundling of state utilities in Liberia among others.

China’s keen interest in improving infrastructure and power development in Africa has been evident in the huge Chinese investments spread across the length and breadth of the continent. As of 2011, China’s investment in Africa was 4.3% of its global trade.

Nigeria witnessed the most notable investment deal in recent weeks, with Africa’s largest privately held business – Dangote - signing a $4.34 billion deal with China’s Sinoma, an indication of Nigeria's infrastructural ambition.

In the same period, another of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Kenya, earmarked $55.6 billion for infrastructure development. Kenya’s road network urgently needs improvement - essential for trade and tourism, indispensable lines of inward investment.

Standard Bank, Africa’s largest bank, will be joining the meeting this year as the official sponsor of the forum.

“The conference brings together some of the foremost figures in infrastructure, as well as key policymakers from Africa. Continued and increasing investment in infrastructure is crucial to the development of African nations, and Standard Bank is well placed to play a leading role in connecting investors with opportunities across the continent.  We are delighted to be sponsoring the conference for the second year in a row, and we look forward to seeing our customers and stakeholders in Beijing.”  David Humphrey, Head of Infrastructure and Power, Standard Bank said.

This important meeting once again partners with the China Africa Development Fund, which has always been geared towards new projects to receive some of the $5billion under their management.