UK development finance institution and impact investor British International Investment (BII) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with specialist African infrastructure project development and de-risking investor Africa50. The MoU was signed at the Infra for Africa Forum 2026, in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, and strengthened the partnership between the two organisations, with the intent of mobilising greater infrastructure investment across the continent, and so helping address Africa’s infrastructure financing gap.

“Africa’s infrastructure financing gap remains one of the biggest barriers to sustainable growth and development across the continent,” pointed out BII CEO Leslie Maasdorp. “Our partnership with Africa50 and investment in the Africa50 Investment Acceleration Fund reflect our commitment to mobilising more capital into the infrastructure Africa needs to support businesses, create jobs and improve lives. By combining our expertise, networks and capital, we can help unlock greater investment into critical sectors while strengthening the pipeline of infrastructure opportunities that will drive long-term economic development.”

With the MoU, BII committed $20-million to the Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, which was managed by Africa50 subsidiary Africa Infrastructure Development Partners. This took the fund to a fourth close of some $330-million. (Other investors in the fund included the African Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and more than 20 African investment institutions.) The fund invested in infrastructure projects and platforms across the continent. It focused primarily on power and energy, transport and logistics, water and sanitation, and digital and social infrastructure.

“Africa’s infrastructure needs cannot be met by public capital alone,” highlighted Africa50 CEO Alain Ebobissé. “Delivering infrastructure at the speed and scale the continent requires depends on mobilising long-term private and institutional capital through strong partnerships. BII’s commitment to the Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund reflects our shared ambition to scale infrastructure investment, strengthen project delivery, and accelerate sustainable economic development across Africa. As Africa50 continues to expand its role in developing, investing and mobilising capital for transformative infrastructure, we look forward to partnering with BII in the next chapter of that journey.”

From the point of view of BII, the partnership with Africa50 helped the UK institution’s strategy of increasing the mobilisation of capital to develop African infrastructure. This strategy involved “crowding in” further investment, increasing the opportunities for co-financing, and reinforcing the bankable African infrastructure projects pipeline.