By Ukumbi Afrika 
Friday, 7th August 2026
Nairobi– The African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) plans to double its capital base to $2 billion over the next two years, a move aimed at significantly expanding its ability to support infrastructure financing across Africa.
ATIDI Chief Executive Manuel Moses told Reuters that increasing the institution's capital is essential to meeting growing demand for investment guarantees that reduce risk for private investors financing projects across the continent.
"Our ambition is to get to $2 billion… what limits us is capital, " Moses said, noting that achieving the target depends on attracting additional shareholders. He added that the process is expected to take about two years but the institution hopes to complete it as quickly as possible.
According to Moses, discussions are underway with France, other G7 nations, and nearly 30 African countries that are yet to become members of the Nairobi-based institution.
"We have to convince these countries, these partners to speed up their processes, " he said.
Founded 25 years ago, ATIDI provides insurance and guarantee products designed to reduce investment risks and attract private capital into African markets, particularly for large infrastructure projects.
The institution is currently owned by 24 African member states alongside institutional investors, including African financial institutions and Germany's KfW Development Bank, which became a shareholder in April.
Earlier this year, the African Development Bank (AfDB) increased its ownership stake in ATIDI from 3% to 14%, investing $125 million as part of the continent's broader strategy to mobilise private capital for infrastructure development.
The AfDB has previously indicated that the increased capital would enable ATIDI to raise its annual guarantee capacity to $10 billion. Moses said the planned capital expansion to $2 billion would further increase annual guarantee volumes to $20 billion.
ATIDI has already supported several landmark projects across Africa, including financing guarantees for Tanzania's modern railway and Safaricom's expansion into Ethiopia. The institution has also helped African governments reduce borrowing costs through debt swaps and sustainability-linked financing facilities.
As Africa continues to face a substantial infrastructure financing gap, expanding risk mitigation tools such as ATIDI's guarantees is expected to play a key role in attracting greater private sector investment into strategic projects.
Source: Reuters
Reporting: Duncan Miriri
Editing: Libby George & Mark Potter