The annual Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference, hosted by the FII Institute, opened today in Riyadh, uniting a diverse array of world leaders, CEOs, and industry executives across finance, energy, technology, and entertainment sectors. This year’s programme began with two pre-summits focusing on “Investing in Africa’s Future” and “Women’s Leadership in Global Economic Growth,” underscoring the FII Institute’s commitment to fostering collaboration and addressing critical global challenges.
The “New Africa” summit explored opportunities for investment in African development, facilitating a platform for meaningful discussion between African leaders and global investors. His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Jaddan delivered the keynote address, highlighting the importance of partnerships to harness Africa’s economic potential. High-profile speakers, including Tony Elumelu, Adebayo Ogunlesi, and Sim Tshabalala, provided insights on overcoming challenges to development and the importance of cross-border investment in boosting infrastructure, healthcare, and education across Africa.
Healthcare featured prominently in the day’s discussions, with an emphasis on innovation in digital health to address needs across Africa. A panel focusing on healthcare innovation highlighted that over 400 million people on the continent could benefit from remote healthcare solutions, underscoring that digital healthcare investments have the potential to improve outcomes and strengthen economic resilience. Additionally, a panel featuring executives from leading food sectors delved into food security, where participants discussed sustainable agricultural practices and eco-friendly solutions to combat food insecurity.
The “Powering Africa” panel drew leaders from ARAMCO, ACWA Power, and Heirs Energy, addressing the critical need for reliable electricity access across the continent. The panel emphasised that stable energy access is essential for economic growth, with benefits extending to healthcare, education, and employment sectors. Panelists noted that robust energy infrastructure is essential to Africa’s long-term sustainable development goals.
A special address from H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal, highlighted the importance of youth empowerment and sustainable growth across Africa. “The African continent is awakening once again to aspirations and objectives,” he said. “This includes building our energy sector, infrastructure, and promoting the youth to lead future development.” Faye’s comments underscored the continent’s ambitions towards democratization, industrialisation, and growth.
Another highlight was the HERiizon Summit, which showcased the role of women in leadership. H.R.H. Ambassador Reema Bandar Al Saud emphasised the importance of comprehensive training and skills development to ensure women have access to leadership roles across sectors. Other speakers, including Cecilia Attias and Jenny Johnson, discussed methods to increase female representation on corporate boards, while Ruth Porat spoke on women’s growing influence in finance and technology. HSBC CEO Noel Quinn highlighted the essential role of women’s leadership in promoting an equitable, sustainable future, calling it “a vital perspective in a complex, interconnected world.”
With over 600 speakers and 8,000 attendees, the eighth edition of the FII conference is hosting more than 200 panels to explore global challenges across finance, energy, artificial intelligence, and climate change. The opening day set the tone for three days of high-level discussions on investment, policy, and innovation aimed at addressing pressing global issues.
CEO of the FII Institute, Richard Attias, remarked, “Today, we witnessed the transformative power of engagement and dialogue. By harnessing investment and forging meaningful partnerships, we can propel sustainable growth and ensure that Africa thrives as a beacon of opportunity and resilience for generations to come.”
