In partnerships with the Chartered Institute of Development Finance
& Development Finance Practitioners
Theme: Financing for Growth through Development Finance research and Innovation
Date: 12-13 November 2025
Venue: UCT Graduate School of Business and Marriott Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Registration form
The Chartered Institute of Development Finance, Development Finance Centre (UCT GSB) and the Africagrowth Institute, in partnership with major development finance institutions, other financial institutions, academic institutions and governments, is organising a 2-day conference to discuss issues around sustainable finance practices, research and innovations.
As development finance and other financial institutions in developing countries struggle to meet borrowing and lending demands, the situation provides an opportunity for commercial and investment banks to join forces with DFIs to provide blended and other innovative financial tools to address the wider needs of borrowers and lenders around the world. This year’s conference will examine the role that research and innovation play in promoting and sustaining economic growth in developing countries.
The conference will include sessions for Development Finance Institutions and other financial institutions to discuss the important sustainable finance issues. In addition, it will offer the opportunity for academics and postgraduate students to discuss their research work in the development finance field.
The Conference will focus (not exclusively) on the following: |
Development Finance Institution Panel Discussions
- Innovative Financing for Sustainable Development
- Exploring blended finance, impact investing, and public-private partnerships (PPPs)
- The role of green bonds, social bonds, and climate finance mechanisms
- Case studies on innovative financial instruments for SDG achievement
- Debt Sustainability and Sovereign Risk Management
- Strategies for managing debt in developing economies
- Role of multilateral development banks in debt relief and restructuring
- Implications of global interest rate shifts on emerging market debt
- Development Finance in a Geopolitically Uncertain World
- The role of development finance in conflict-affected and fragile states
- Balancing geopolitical interests with development goals
- The future of multilateral financial institutions amid shifting global alliances
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Academic and Research Discussions
- Development Finance and Corporate Governance;
- Sustainable Competition in Development Banking;
- Risk, Assets and Liability Management in Development Finance;
- Corporate Finance and Investment in Emerging Markets;
- Trade Finance;
- Financial Economics in Emerging Markets;
- Micro Insurance;
- Law and Finance
- Strategic Planning for DFIs;
- Infrastructure and Project Finance;
- Financial and Economic Appraisal of Investment Projects;
- Risk Management in Financial Services;
- Development Finance and Corporate Social Responsibility;
- Environmental Finance;
- Banking and Finance in Emerging Markets;
- Public Sector Finance
- Finance, economic growth and development.
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Who should attend? Staff of: |
- Analysts from Finance Institutions;
- Financial Consultants, Risk Management Professionals, Research Analysts;
- Researchers and analysts from central and commercial banks
- Doctoral and other postgraduate students
- Professional Economists
- Professional Accounting and Finance Bodies
- Government Officials and Government Finance Departments
|
- Academic Researchers
- Central Banks and Finance Ministries
- Researchers from Development Finance Institutions
- Researchers and analysts from Investment Banks
- Professional financial analysts
- Researchers from Development Finance Institutions
- Pension Fund Practitioners and Industry
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Academic and other researchers are encouraged to submit their work to be considered for publication in the Review of Development Finance Journal. The Review of Development Finance is listed in Scopus, Web of Science and IBSS. The Journal is also accredited by the South African DHET for subsidy purpose. Practitioners can contribute articles to the Africagrowth Agenda Journal (listed in IBSS) and Development Finance Agenda Magazine (listed in IBSS).
Scientific Committee of Conference: |
- Prof Nicholas Biekpe (Conference Chairman, University of Cape Town & Africagrowth Institute, South Africa)
- Dr Anthony Coleman (Afreximbank)
- Dr Zwelakhe Tshandu (Development Bank of Southern Africa)
- Prof Kwaku Opong (University of Glasgow, UK)
- Prof Kalu Ojah (Wits Business School, S. Africa)
- Prof Isaac Otchere (Carleton University, Canada)
- Dr Odongo Kodongo (Wits Business School, South Africa)
- Dr Sephooko Motelle (IFC World Bank Group, USA)
- Prof Whelsy Boungou (Paris School of Business, France)
|
- Prof Smile Dube (California State University, USA)
- Dr Anne Kamau (Central Bank of Kenya)
- Prof Danny Cassimon (University of Antwerp)
- Dr Kenneth Mwenda (World Bank)
- Prof Andy Mullineux (University of Birmingham, UK)
- Dr Sawsan Halbouni (University of Sharjah, UAE)
- Prof Sundaram Janakiramanan (SIM University, Singapore)
- Prof Ayi Ayayi (Universite du Quebec, Canada)
- Dr Adeleke Salami (African Development Bank)
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Fees (Please note that fees exclude VAT for South African Citizens)
Conference Fee is from $250 for non-presenters and $300 for presenters. The fee will cover lunches, tea/coffee breaks with snacks, venue hire and admin cost.
Click here to register
DEADLINES
Submission of abstracts - 31 August 2025
Please urgently register and pay conference fees once your attendance or paper has been confirmed or accepted.
Email your abstract or full paper to Dina Potgieter at dina@africagrowth.com
CONTACT
Administrative Queries
Mrs. Dina Potgieter
Tel: +27 21-914 6778
Fax: +27 21-914 4438
dina@africagrowth.com
Scientific Queries
Professor Nicholas Biekpe
Tel: +27 21-914 6778
Fax: +27 21-914 4438
nicholas@africagrowth.com
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