Mali will host the first-ever Investment Forum of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Africa from December 2 to 4, 2025, in Bamako.
The event, themed “Unlocking Africa’s Investment Potential”, will take place at the Bamako International Conference Center under the patronage of Mali’s transitional authorities and the OIC Secretariat-General, in partnership with the Islamic Center for Development of Trade and Mali’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.
This inaugural continental forum is designed to connect policymakers, private investors, financial institutions, and investment promotion agencies from OIC member states.
Organisers say ministerial delegations, development partners, and business leaders will attend, seeking opportunities across strategic sectors including agriculture, mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, ICT, manufacturing, textiles, tourism, and financial services.
The event aims to facilitate public-private partnerships and showcase bankable projects to attract fresh capital. The Islamic Development Bank is among the key institutions backing the initiative.
Trade figures highlight the stakes. Intra-OIC trade has grown over the past decade from $363.81 billion to $539.54 billion, according to the Islamic Center for Development of Trade. Intra-African trade reached $220.3 billion in 2024, up 12.4 percent from 2023. Yet Africa’s share in global trade remains modest, at just 2.9 percent. The Bamako forum seeks to boost investment flows into Africa and raise the continent’s contribution to the global economy.
The choice of Mali as host reflects a bid to showcase the country’s economic potential and that of the wider Sahel region amid a push for new partnerships. Malian authorities emphasise the availability of investment-ready projects in priority sectors and their commitment to fostering a favourable environment for both local and foreign investors.
Over three days, the forum is expected to bring together major trade and investment players for discussions and negotiations, with the goal of opening new economic horizons for Mali, the Sahel, and OIC member states across Africa.
MD/sf/lb/as/APA