Sudanese envoy in Baku: Africa needs $1.6 trillion in investment

Africa requires approximately $1.6 trillion in investment to implement major infrastructure and economic development projects, Sudan’s ambassador to Azerbaijan said during an Africa Day 2026 conference in Baku.

Anas Eltayeb Elgailani Mustafa made the remarks at the conference titled “Rising Continent, Emerging Partnerships," Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

"Africa needs approximately $1.6 trillion in investment. We expect to leverage these funds through North-South and South-South cooperation, as well as to maximize the continent's vast natural resources," he noted.

The diplomat said Africa is showing resilience and growing innovation capacity but stressed that long-term prosperity would depend on moving beyond raw commodity exports toward industrialisation and value-added production.

According to Mustafa, digital innovation ecosystems, infrastructure corridors, and renewable energy initiatives are expanding across the continent, while intraregional trade is increasing through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

At the same time, he warned that Africa continues to face significant economic and structural challenges.

"Africa continues to face a number of serious challenges, including debt burdens, external economic shocks, high youth unemployment, dependence on commodity exports, the impacts of climate change, and infrastructure financing shortfalls," he noted.

The ambassador also highlighted the importance of strengthening regional integration, facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services, and expanding cooperation with international partners and the private sector to support sustainable development goals.

By Sabina Mammadli