17 February 2025 - The Finance in Common Summit (FiCS) Secretariat, in collaboration with co-hosts the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), proudly welcomes a distinguished delegation of global leaders, policymakers, and financial experts to this pivotal three-day gathering.
Among the esteemed guests expected at to grace this Summit with their presence are His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, and Honourable Enoch Godongwana, Minister of Finance of South Africa, alongside Madam María Jesús Montero, Minister of Finance of Spain; Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank; Mr Jin Liqun, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; Mr Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group; Madam Amina Mohamed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; and Mr François Villeroy de Galhau, Governor of the Central Bank of France and Chair of the Bank for International Settlements. Their collective leadership continues to shape global economic policies and drive sustainable finance initiatives.
In addition, the summit is privileged to host Mr Rémy Rioux, Chairman of the Finance in Common Summit, Ms Boitumelo Mosako, CEO of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, as well as a distinguished assembly of ministers, ambassadors, multilateral development finance leaders, business executives, and thought leaders from academia. Their participation underscores the global commitment to advancing sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
The Summit also warmly welcomes Honourable Parks Tau, Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa, and Honourable Kizito Pakabomba, Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who bring invaluable insights into governance and economic development.
Further enhancing this prestigious gathering are globally recognised sustainability and energy experts, including Dr Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Sierra Leone Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, and Ms Damilola Ogunbiji, Managing Director of Sustainability for All, whose work continues to shape the global sustainability agenda.
We are also honoured to host Ms Vera Songwe, Chair of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility and Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Ms Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General of the EU Energy Directorate, Ms Mafalda Duarte, CEO of the Green Climate Fund, as well as leading voices in policy and trade, including Mr Jason Bordoff, Founding Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy, and Ms Kimberley Botwright, Head of Sustainable Trade at the World Economic Forum.
The summit further welcomes prominent leaders in development finance, including Ms Mmakgoshi Lekhethe, CEO of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC); Mr Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC); and Mr Leslie Maasdorp, CEO of British International Investment (BII), all of whom play a critical role in driving economic resilience and investment across global markets.
Additionally, representatives from major development finance institutions, including Mr Thomas Mélonio, Chief Economist at Agence Française de Développement (AFD), will contribute their expertise in financing sustainable and inclusive development.
The presence of Ms Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, and Mr Thabo Thamane, Chair of the Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AADFI) further underscores the high-level engagement at this summit. Moreover, the participation of esteemed leaders from UNESCO, FIFA, and the African Union Sport Council highlights the intersection of finance, global development, and social progress.
This extraordinary assembly of visionaries, decision-makers, and changemakers reflects a shared commitment to forging a sustainable and inclusive future. As the summit unfolds, we anticipate engaging discussions, transformative insights, and strategic collaborations that will shape the next generation of financial and economic policies.
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About the Finance in Common Summit
The Finance in Common Summit is the premier global platform uniting public development banks to drive collective action towards sustainable development, climate resilience, and economic equity. Through high-level dialogue and strategic partnerships, FiCS mobilises financial institutions, governments, and industry leaders to create solutions for global challenges.
About the Development Bank of Southern Africa
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is a leading Development Finance Institution (DFI), wholly owned by the government of South Africa. Established in 1983, the DBSA is mandated to promote economic growth and regional integration by mobilising financial and other resources from national and international private and public sectors for sustainable development projects and programmes in South Africa, SADC, and the wider African continent. www.dbsa.org