Casablanca, September 2, 2025 – The Casablanca Stock Exchange hosted a press conference on Tuesday to mark the official launch of the fifth edition of the Africa Financial Summit (AFIS), which will take place on November 3rd and 4th in Casablanca. This is the essential meeting point for key players in the African financial industry.
The press conference was attended by prominent representatives from the Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), Atlantic Re, the Casablanca Stock Exchange, and the AFIS governance body:
- Mohammed Tarik Bchir, Director of the Treasury and External Finance of Morocco
- Tarik Senhaji, CEO of the Casablanca Stock Exchange
- Olivier Noel, Secretary General of AFIS
- David Tinel, Regional Director for the Maghreb, IFC
- Mehdi Tazi, Vice-President of the CGEM and CEO of Cover Edge
- Ouafae Mriouah, Managing Director, Atlantic Re
In an increasingly challenging global context and economic environment (trade barriers, rising debt, selective access to international capital…), it was emphasized that AFIS 2025, which will bring together more than 1,250 financial leaders and public decision-makers, aims to contribute to building a roadmap towards the continent’s financial autonomy. The discussions focused on priorities such as inclusive, sustainable, and digital finance, with an emphasis on mobilizing domestic savings, broadening financial inclusion, and promoting Pan-African integration. The speakers also highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships and technological innovation, especially artificial intelligence, in improving access to financing and supporting the growth of SMEs. Finally, reinsurance was identified as a key lever to strengthen the resilience of Africa’s financial sector.
It was unanimously recalled that holding AFIS in Casablanca for the second consecutive year was self-evident, given that Morocco has established itself as a key player in building the continent’s financial sovereignty. Positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, the Kingdom has affirmed itself as a champion of regional integration, with a robust financial sector, solid banking and insurance institutions, and an ambitious national strategy on fiscal reform, investment, and economic diversification. This choice perfectly reflects the central thread of the summit: transitioning from a model dependent on external capital to the building of a sustainable financial power that serves Africa.
Amir Ben Yahmed, Président de l’Africa Financial Summit declared: “This edition in Casablanca embodies the urgency of modernising our tools and mobilising our own capital to direct it towards strategic projects to strengthen our economic development. We must make financial sovereignty the cornerstone of growth and inclusion on our continent.”
Ethiopis Tafara, Vice-président Afrique, IFC declared: “At AFIS 2025, we bring together leaders of the African financial industry to mobilize innovative solutions for unlocking the private capital needed to create jobs, strengthen resilience, and foster inclusive economic growth driven by the continent’s demographic momentum. We also inform our clients and partners that AFIS is where they will find the financial solutions capable of turning their strategies into reality.”
À propos de l’Africa Financial Summit (AFIS)
Founded by Jeune Afrique Media Group in 2021, with the support of the IFC (World Bank Group), AFIS is a sister organisation to the Africa CEO Forum, the leading platform for Africa’s private sector. AFIS aims to build a robust financial industry that serves the real economy and sustainable development. Bringing together the most influential figures and institutions in African finance, as well as regulators, AFIS works to enhance financial inclusion and foster the emergence of a truly pan-African financial services industry. For more information, visit the website: https://www.afis.africa/fr/afis–2025/annual–summit/.
About the International Finance Corporation (IFC)
IFC – a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit the website: www.ifc.org.
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Press contacts
Samuel Sauvageau-Audet – s.sauvageau-audet@jeuneafrique.com
Soukaina Harti – s.harti@jeuneafrique.com
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