Bankability will shape Africa’s infrastructure future
Aaron Chehab, head of strategy at Arabian Construction Company Group
Certainty before capital: why bankability will define Africa’s next growth phase, by Aaron Chehab, head of strategy at Arabian Construction Company Group
Africa’s long-term infrastructure outlook remains exceptionally strong with the continent seeing population growth, urbanisation, and industrial expansion. Additionally, the energy transition requirements continue to create significant demand across sectors. It is fair to say that the opportunity ahead is substantial.
The projects that will succeed over the next decade will likely share disciplined planning, credible governance, integrated delivery models and partners capable of bridging the gap between vision, financing, and execution.
However, funding is often seen as the primary challenge. More often, the real issue is creating enough certainty for capital to move with confidence.
At ACC, we recognised early that successful projects often form long before construction begins. That reality has pushed the business further upstream by supporting clients, governments and financing stakeholders during the initial structuring phases of projects.
Across the continent, ambitious projects continue to emerge. We see that urbanisation and long-term economic growth are driving forces behind the positioning of smart cities, logistics corridors, industrial hubs, transport infrastructure, and mixed-use developments. Many of these projects are rooted in genuine vision and national ambition.
Increasingly, this involves supporting stakeholders across areas such as technical feasibility studies, procurement planning, programme sequencing, construction methodology development, cost validation, environmental and social compliance alignment, and operational efficiency reviews.
Moreover, environmental and social governance has become another defining factor in this evolution. Alignment with International Finance Corporation Performance Standards and the Equator Principles is no longer considered optional for major projects seeking international financing. It is now a key part of lender confidence and the long-term viability of developments.
Projects that prioritise early-stage alignment across financing, procurement, environmental compliance, and execution readiness are in a much stronger position to attract institutional capital and move toward delivery with greater certainty.
The Ministerial City development in Benin is one example of this evolving approach.
Rather than relying solely on announcement-driven momentum, the project focused early on delivery fundamentals, including government alignment, financing pathways, procurement structures and execution readiness.
That level of preparation demonstrates a growing understanding across the market that successful infrastructure delivery is no longer just about building assets. It is about building confidence which ultimately unlocks capital.
We are witnessing investors and lenders operating in a far more disciplined environment. That is why capital deployment increasingly depends on delivery credibility, governance frameworks, environmental compliance, procurement clarity and long-term operational sustainability.
This shift reflects the continued development of Africa’s infrastructure landscape.
The continent is entering a phase where projects are being evaluated not only for their potential economic impact but also for their ability to withstand scrutiny from financiers, insurers, export credit agencies, and delivery partners.
In the long term, this shift is positive because it encourages stronger planning, better governance and more sustainable outcomes.
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