The African Trade and Development Insurance (ATIDI) marked its 25th anniversary at its 26th Annual General Meeting in Nairobi from June 30 to July 3, 2026. The milestone institution has facilitated $93 billion in African trade and investment since its founding — and Kenya just pledged to raise its shareholding from $25 million to $65 million.
A silver jubilee of record performance
Founded in 2001 by seven African countries, ATIDI now counts 24 member states and 13 institutional shareholders. At its AGM held under the theme "Empowering Africa: Risk Managed, Growth Unlocked", the institution unveiled figures that speak to a decade of consistent growth: total exposure reached $9.2 billion in 2025 (up from $8.9 billion in 2024), while net profit climbed 20% to $71.4 million. Total assets crossed the billion-dollar mark (+20%), and shareholders' equity reached $883 million (+12%).
Since 2001, ATIDI has supported $93 billion in continental trade and investment through political risk insurance, credit insurance, and surety products, primarily in the energy, transport, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.
Kenya's President Ruto doubles down
Kenyan President William Ruto made a bold commitment at the AGM: Kenya will progressively increase its ATIDI shareholding from $25 million to $65 million, an additional injection of $40 million (KSh 5.2 billion). "We will continue to increase this amount until reaching $65 million," Ruto declared, while also pushing for a broader $2 billion recapitalization of the institution.
Kenya went further: Nairobi will host the headquarters of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions, with land already earmarked for a permanent office. This cements the Kenyan capital as the nerve center of African finance.
AfDB multiplies its stake fivefold
The African Development Bank dramatically increased its presence in ATIDI's capital, multiplying its participation by five to become the institution's largest institutional shareholder. The signal to markets is clear: pan-African institutions believe in the insurance tool as a lever for development.
Why it matters
President Ruto highlighted a painful reality at the summit: Africa holds $4 trillion in savings, but most of that capital is parked outside the continent. ATIDI is precisely the instrument designed to reassure local and foreign investors, reduce perceived risk costs, and channel those flows back into African projects. At 25, the institution is shifting into a higher gear — and Kenya intends to be its engine.