British International Investment (BII), the UK government’s development-finance institution, plans to invest about £2.25 billion ($3 billion) in some of Africa’s higher-risk markets over the next five years, targeting economies that have struggled to attract large-scale institutional capital.
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The planned deployment represents a quarter of BII’s £9 billion investment target for Africa under its 2026-2031 strategy, according to a Bloomberg News report on Monday. The institution intends to channel funding into markets where political, economic and structural constraints have limited the appetite of commercial investors.
BII plans to work with local financial institutions and other partners to strengthen domestic capital markets and improve access to financing for businesses and infrastructure projects. The approach is aimed at addressing gaps that have left many companies and development projects unable to secure the long-term funding needed to expand.
Leslie Maasdorp, BII’s chief executive officer, said the strategy would prioritise markets where investment risks and other barriers have kept major institutional investors away, with partnerships playing a central role in reaching businesses and projects that struggle to attract capital.
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The proposed investment reflects the continuing role of development-finance institutions in financing sectors and economies where commercial lenders and private investors remain cautious. By working through local partners, BII aims to expand the reach of available capital while supporting the development of financial systems that can attract more investment over time.
The scale of the commitment also signals the importance BII places on markets that are often overlooked by conventional investors, particularly where limited access to finance constrains business growth and infrastructure development.
Faith Omoboye is a foreign affairs correspondent with background in History and International relations. Her work focuses on African politics, diplomacy, and global governance.
