RABAT, Morocco – President of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Daniel Best, says Africa and the Caribbean stand at a “similar crossroads” and that partnership, discipline, and ambition can unlock capital at scale and deliver development that endures.
Addressing the African Investment Forum (AIF) Market Days, Best is urging governments, development finance institutions (DFIs) and private investors to mobilise capital at scale through public-private partnerships (PPPs), blended finance, and strategic alliances.
Speaking on the theme “Bridging the Gap: Mobilizing Private Capital to Unlock Africa’s Full Potential,” Best highlighted the shared challenges and opportunities facing Africa and the Caribbean.
He said these include narrow fiscal space, climate vulnerability, and persistent infrastructure gaps, calling for bold, imaginative collaboration to transform these constraints into investable opportunities.
“Capital is a means, not an end. Infrastructure becomes development only when it improves lives-making societies more dynamic, inclusive, and resilient. Well-structured partnerships deliver more than assets; they deliver confidence, jobs, and growth that reach communities,” Best said.
The CDB president underscored the catalytic role of DFIs in shaping investment ecosystems, citing examples such as Dominica’s geothermal energy project and regional risk-pooling mechanisms like the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility CCRIF).
He said that blended finance and PPPs are essential tools for crowding in private capital and accelerating sectors critical for long-term competitiveness.
“Africa and the Caribbean stand at a similar crossroads. Our challenges may be significant, but together our potential is far greater. With partnership, discipline, and ambition, we can unlock capital at scale and deliver development that endures.”
Best called for deeper Africa-Caribbean collaboration in project preparation, PPP structuring, and climate resilience investment, noting that platforms like the AIF provide an unparalleled opportunity to align stakeholders and scale proven models.
The African Investment Forum has brought together leading international voices to accelerate investment in critical sectors such as energy, transport, and healthcare.
The discussions underscored the transformative role of DFIs in de-risking projects, structuring investment products, and creating confidence for private investors – affirming that collaboration and disciplined design are key to bridging the financing gap and delivering sustainable growth for Africa and the Caribbean.
