Economic autonomy
2025 was a record year for sovereign wealth funds on the continent, and the trend is continuing in 2026. Beyond the headlines, do these increasingly popular vehicles have the means to fulfil their ambitions?
By
Alix Lavoué
The Democratic Republic of Congo in June 2025, then Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Kenya in April, May and July 2026, respectively. Within a few months, a number of African countries have set up sovereign wealth funds. Guinea is preparing to officially launch its own before the end of the year, while Botswana is preparing a second vehicle. In 2025 alone, five new structures were established, bringing the total number on the continent to around 30. Africa has never seen such a flurry of fund creation.
