Background and Rationale
As Africa’s investment promotion landscape evolves, countries are increasingly competing for scarce global capital. Nations must also effectively market themselves, strategically package opportunities, and negotiate deals that drive sustainable development impact. The CwA Investment Promotion Working Group (IPWG) is a key platform for cross-country collaboration and knowledge exchange. Following a 2025 survey, members expressed a need for targeted mentoring in investor targeting, cross-ministerial coordination, investor servicing, and project bankability.
This session presents a prime opportunity for both IDA Ireland and CwA countries to engage. IDA Ireland will share its best practices in investor targeting, aftercare, and cross-government coordination, reinforcing its leadership role in global development. For CwA countries, this exchange offers actionable strategies to attract and sustain high-value investments and strengthen long-term partnerships. This collaboration will lay the foundation for future trade and sustainable economic growth for both sides.
Purpose
This session is a strategic platform for sharing proven investment promotion strategies. The focus will be on IDA Ireland’s methodologies in investor targeting, aftercare, investor retention, and cross-ministry coordination. Participants will walk away with practical, actionable insights to enhance their countries’ investment strategies, while also exploring how Ireland’s collaborative approach to investment can be replicated for long-term development outcomes in Africa.
Key Learning Objectives
- Strategic Investor Targeting: Discover IDA Ireland’s data-driven approach to identifying and attracting high-value investors. Learn how to focus resources on the most promising sectors and regions for maximum impact.
- Aftercare & Investor Retention: Understand how IDA Ireland ensures that investments not only arrive but stay and expand, including best practices for sustaining long-term investor relationships and maximizing value.
- Cross-Ministry Coordination: Gain insights into how cross-government collaboration can eliminate bottlenecks, align priorities, and foster an enabling environment for business growth.
- Leveraging the Diaspora: Gain insight on how to tap into diaspora networks for investment, knowledge transfer, and market access. Learn how these networks can be leveraged strategically to amplify FDI outcomes.
