LONDON, Nov 2 – British International Investment (BII), the UK government’s development-finance institution, plans to deploy approximately £2.25 billion ($3 billion) in some of Africa’s higher-risk markets over the next five years, targeting economies that remain largely beyond the reach of major institutional investors.
The planned commitment 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 work with local partners to deepen financial markets and address structural barriers that prevent capital from reaching businesses and infrastructure projects across the continent.
BII Chief Executive Officer Leslie Maasdorp said the strategy would focus on expanding access to financing in markets where investment risks and other constraints have limited participation by large institutional investors.
The planned deployment reflects the role of development-finance institutions in directing capital towards economies and sectors where commercial financing remains difficult to secure. By partnering with local institutions, BII aims to support the development of financial markets while improving access to funding for businesses and infrastructure.
The £2.25 billion allocation forms part of the broader £9 billion commitment to Africa over the five-year strategy period, positioning the institution to expand its investment activity in markets where private capital remains limited.
