Africa’s Cross‑Border Investment Potential Highlighted at African Energy Week 2025
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 30, 2025 — Africa’s cross‑border investment landscape is expanding, but success depends on navigating regulatory complexity and leveraging local expertise. That was the message from pan‑African legal and advisory firm CLG, which hosted a workshop during African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025.
The Perception Gap
International financiers often view Africa as a uniformly high‑risk environment, a perception that inflates financing costs. But this generalisation obscures the continent’s diversity, said Adeleke Alao, Director at CLG Nigeria.
“Even within a single country, different regions carry different considerations. Treating Africa as one risk profile is misleading and costly,” Alao explained.
Regional Nuances: The Case of CEMAC
Daoudou Mohammad, Tax and Legal Director at CLG Pointe‑Noire, stressed the importance of understanding regional blocs. He cautioned against treating the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) as a single market.
“Despite reforms, foreign exchange remains restrictive in the Republic of Congo and across CEMAC. For critical industries like mining and oil and gas, exceptions can be negotiated — but only with deep local knowledge,” he said.
Mauritius: A Gateway for African Investment
The discussion also highlighted Mauritius as a strategic hub for investors. With a strong network of Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements, the island has become a preferred base for African private equity.
Prina Jeeha‑Teeluck, Managing Partner of CLG Mauritius, noted that nearly half of the 900 investment funds domiciled in Mauritius focus on Africa.
“Mauritius has evolved into a stable, pro‑investment environment. Its trajectory from low‑income to middle‑income status demonstrates the value of long‑term, well‑structured investment,” she said.
Balancing Risk and Opportunity
The session concluded that while Africa’s cross‑border deals present hurdles — from regulatory restrictions to financing challenges — the opportunities are significant. With strategic planning, experienced advisors, and targeted approaches, investors can unlock growth across sectors from energy to infrastructure.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
