Nairobi, Kenya – July 9, 2026 – The African Trade & Investment
Development Insurance (ATIDI) marked its Silver Jubilee with record
financial performance and renewed political backing as African leaders
endorsed the institution as a cornerstone of a new African-led financial
architecture aimed at unlocking investment, lowering the cost of
capital, and mobilising domestic resources for the continent’s
development.
The endorsement came during ATIDI’s 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM),
held in Nairobi from June 30 to July 3 under the theme “Empowering
Africa: Risk Managed, Growth Unlocked.”
Speaking at the Silver Jubilee Gala Dinner at State House, President
William Ruto urged African countries to strengthen homegrown financial
institutions capable of financing the continent’s development on its own
terms.
“For years, we have called for a fairer global financial architecture
that stops mispricing African risk and making our capital needlessly
expensive. While the world debates reform, Africa must build,” President
Ruto said.
The President endorsed the New African Financial Architecture for
Development (NAFAD), launched earlier this year by African Development
Bank Group President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah to strengthen Africa’s financial
sovereignty by leveraging the continent’s multilateral financial
institutions.
Although Africa holds nearly US$4 trillion in long-term domestic savings
through pension funds, insurance assets and central bank reserves, much
of this capital continues to be invested outside the continent despite
Africa facing an annual financing gap exceeding US$400 billion.
President Ruto announced several measures to strengthen Africa’s
risk-sharing architecture, including Kenya’s support for the Alliance of
African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI) and approval for the
Alliance’s Secretariat to be hosted in Nairobi.
He also called for ATIDI’s recapitalisation to US$2 billion, noting that
every dollar invested in Africa’s guarantee architecture has the
potential to mobilise ten dollars in private investment. Kenya will
progressively increase its shareholding in ATIDI from US$25 million to
US$65 million, subject to the necessary national approvals, and
presented the institution with the title deed for land designated for
its permanent headquarters.
Kenya remains one of ATIDI’s largest markets, with the institution’s
guarantees and insurance solutions facilitating more than US$7 billion
in investments across energy, transport, agriculture, manufacturing and
trade.
Opening the AGM, ATIDI Chief Executive Officer Manuel Moses reflected on
the institution’s 25-year journey, describing it as proof that African
institutions can successfully deliver African solutions to African
challenges.
“Over the past twenty-five years, ATIDI has demonstrated that African
solutions are often best placed to address Africa’s unique challenges
and opportunities,” he said.
Since its establishment in 2001, ATIDI has supported more than US$93
billion in trade and investment across Africa through political risk
insurance, credit insurance and surety products that help reduce
investment risk and improve access to finance.
The institution has grown from seven founding member states to 24
African member countries, 13 institutional shareholders and one
non-African member state, while consistently maintaining
investment-grade ratings from leading international credit rating
agencies.
Moses said ATIDI’s success has been built on combining international
standards with a deep understanding of African markets, enabling the
institution to design solutions that meet investor expectations while
responding to local realities. He also underscored the importance of
preserving ATIDI’s Preferred Creditor Status, describing it as
fundamental to maintaining investor confidence and safeguarding the
institution’s financial strength.
ATIDI also reported another year of strong financial performance despite
continued global economic uncertainty.
Total exposure increased from US$8.9 billion in 2024 to US$9.2 billion
in 2025, while profit for the year rose by 20 percent to US$71.4
million. Total assets grew by 20 percent to US$1.06 billion, with
shareholders’ equity increasing by 12 percent to US$883 million.
“Against a backdrop of continued global uncertainty, ATIDI delivered
another year of resilient growth, supported by strong insurance revenue,
investment income and a strengthened balance sheet,” Moses said.
ATIDI Board Chairman Professor Kelly Mua Kingsly said confidence remains
Africa’s greatest economic asset.
“If capital is the engine of development, confidence is its fuel. We do
not merely mitigate risk—we create confidence,” he said.
The AGM’s Leaders’ Panel also underscored the growing role of African
multilateral financial institutions in supporting development and
attracting private investment.
African Development Bank Group President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah announced
that the Bank had increased its participation in ATIDI’s capital
five-fold, making it the institution’s largest institutional
shareholder. The Bank will also support additional African countries
seeking to join ATIDI by helping mobilise resources for their capital
subscriptions.
“The challenge before us is not a lack of capital or opportunities, but
the persistent mispricing of African risk, which continues to drive up
the cost of capital across the continent,” Dr. Tah said.
He added that ATIDI plays an indispensable role within the New African
Financial Architecture for Development by helping unlock investment,
strengthen financial sovereignty and mobilise both domestic and
international capital.
Kenya’s Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki also called for
greater private sector participation in financing Africa’s development,
noting that fiscal constraints facing many governments make private
investment increasingly essential.
The AGM concluded with an investment promotion forum showcasing
opportunities in Kenya and Cameroon across renewable energy, transport,
water and agriculture, alongside business-to-business and
business-to-government meetings connecting investors with project
sponsors and policymakers.
As ATIDI enters its next quarter century, the institution is positioning
itself at the heart of Africa’s evolving financial architecture, using
innovative risk mitigation solutions to mobilise private capital,
strengthen investor confidence and accelerate sustainable economic
transformation across the continent.
About ATIDI
The African Trade Insurance Agency (commonly known as African Trade &
Investment Development Insurance – ATIDI) was founded in 2001 by
African States to cover trade and investment risks of companies doing
business in Africa. The organisation notably provides Political Risk,
Credit Insurance and Surety Insurance. Since inception, ATIDI has
supported USD93 billion worth of investments and cross border trade into
Africa. It is rated A by both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, which
reflects the organization’s robust financial position and strong risk
management practices. In recognition of its growing impact, ATIDI was
named the Development Finance Institution (DFI) of the Year at the 2025
African Banker Awards. For further information: www.atidi.org
