The primary focus of an important three-day workshop held in Tripoli, the capital of Libya, was to secure private sector investments aimed at fostering peace, enhancing stability, and driving economic resurgence in the country. This event, organized by the African Development Bank in collaboration with the Libyan Ministry of Finance, underscored the significance of leveraging private funds for these critical objectives.
Over a span of three days, the African Development Bank—the premier development finance organization on the continent—and the Libyan Ministry of Finance convened over 80 government officials, private sector participants, financiers from various institutions, and international collaborators for an event titled:
Investing in Peace and Development: Tapping into Private Funds for a Robust Libya.
Finance Minister Dr. Khaled Almabrouk Abdalla told the opening session the Libyan government strongly backed private sector-led growth.
In our striving Libya, we strongly hold the view that the private sector plays an essential part in constructing a thriving and secure future. Even after facing numerous difficulties over many years, Libyan business owners have exhibited impressive fortitude,” he stated. “Thanks to the backing of collaborators such as the African Development Bank, we are making efforts to unleash their complete capability so they can aid in our country’s restoration.
Malinne Blomberg, the Deputy Director General for North Africa at the African Development Bank, highlighted Libya’s unexploited resources, advantageous position, abundant natural riches, and skilled workforce as key elements supporting sustained economic development.
She stated, ‘The private sector is crucial for generating employment, fostering innovation, and building community confidence.’ She added that with appropriate resources and collaborations, they could assist Libya in transforming its capabilities into advancements.
Currently, the Bank is assisting Libya through comprehensive assessments of private sector growth and investments, focusing on lucrative areas like renewable energy, agriculture, and information and communication technology (ICT).
Yero Baldeh, Director of the Bank’s Transition States Coordination Office, underscored the link between investment and stability: “At the African Development Bank, we don’t see fragility as a label — we see it as a call to action. Peace-positive finance isn’t just about money — it’s about where that money goes: into youth-led start-ups, women-owned businesses, and communities rebuilding after conflict.”
From Ideas to Action
The workshop went beyond speeches, with focused technical sessions aimed at shaping bankable projects in sectors like clean energy and agribusiness value chains. Participants worked across public and private lines to identify practical pathways to financing recovery–including
blended finance, Islamic finance
, and
government-backed guarantees.
A key outcome was a draft Resilience Investment Roadmap, designed to guide priority actions and partnerships that will help grow Libya’s private sector and accelerate its recovery.
The African Development Bank reiterated its dedication to continuing support for Libya, aiding in the attraction of investment funds, fostering trust among investors, and increasing localized innovations.
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