ATIDI: De-Risking Africa’s Future through Insurance, Investment and Innovation

As Africa’s leading provider of credit and investment insurance, the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) continues to shape the continent’s economic trajectory. Under the stewardship of CEO Manuel Moses, the institution is harnessing the power of risk mitigation strategies, ESG integration, and regional partnerships to unlock capital flows and sustainable growth across the continent.

A Clear Mission Backed by Strategic Objectives

ATIDI’s mission is rooted in supporting sustainable economic growth across Africa by de-risking investment and promoting intra-African and international trade. The organisation’s strategy is guided by a robust framework that addresses the continent’s unique challenges while capitalising on its opportunities.

Among ATIDI’s strategic priorities are the delivery of innovative insurance solutions that reduce both perceived and actual risk, thereby encouraging domestic and foreign investment. The organisation also supports trade expansion through credit insurance and guarantees, enabling companies to reach new markets. Infrastructure development, particularly in sectors such as energy and transportation, is another focus area, with ATIDI playing a vital role in backing projects that improve regional connectivity and community well-being.

The organisation further champions private sector engagement by creating an enabling environment for businesses, and aligns its initiatives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure a positive environmental and social impact. Strategic partnerships with governments, multilaterals, and private sector players enhance resource mobilisation and knowledge sharing, amplifying the impact of ATIDI’s work.

Mitigating Risk with Tailored Insurance Solutions

A core component of ATIDI’s offering is its suite of risk mitigation tools, designed to support investment and trade by addressing challenges such as political instability, currency inconvertibility, and breach of contract.

Political Risk Insurance offers protection against adverse government actions such as expropriation and nationalisation. This coverage is crucial for sectors like infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing, where long-term commitments are vulnerable to policy shifts.

Currency Inconvertibility and Transfer Risk Insurance allows investors to repatriate funds even amid financial or regulatory instability. This product plays a vital role for multinational firms engaged in cross-border transactions.

For investors working on public-private partnerships or government contracts, ATIDI offers Breach of Contract Insurance, which compensates for losses if public entities fail to fulfil contractual obligations. This ensures greater certainty for infrastructure and development initiatives.

Complementing these are Trade Credit Insurance and Surety Bonds, which protect against payment defaults and enforce contractual performance, supporting business growth and strengthening commercial trust across borders.

Driving Development Through Impact

ATIDI’s solutions have demonstrably supported economic development and job creation across its member states. One example is the 20 MW Ituka West Nile Uganda Ltd solar project, where ATIDI’s Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF) de-risked the investment and ensured financial stability for the independent power producer. This resulted in expanded energy access, job creation, and economic stimulus in Uganda’s West Nile region.

Another notable intervention was in Benin, where ATIDI supported financing tied to the SDGs across key sectors such as healthcare, education, and energy. The risk mitigation provided by ATIDI enabled capital mobilisation for projects that deliver both social and economic returns.

By reducing investment uncertainty, ATIDI fosters financial inclusion, empowers local enterprise, and accelerates infrastructure delivery across the continent.

A Collaborative Structure for Scaled Impact

ATIDI’s effectiveness is amplified by its unique structure, which unites African sovereigns, multilateral lenders, and global insurers in a shared vision. This coalition enhances underwriting capacity and financial resilience while enabling risk-sharing across large-scale projects.

For member countries, the benefits are tangible. ATIDI’s strong credit ratings from S&P and Moody’s translate into improved sovereign credibility, facilitating access to international finance at more favourable terms. Membership also provides access to specialised risk mitigation tools including the RLSF and tailored insurance products for political and credit risk.

Crucially, ATIDI also plays a role in regional integration. Collaborations with institutions such as the African Union, European Investment Bank (EIB), KfW, NORAD and AfDB enable collective economic resilience and coordinated development initiatives.

Powering AfCFTA Through Confidence and Capital

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) marks a milestone in economic integration. ATIDI is supporting its implementation by mitigating the residual risks that remain even as tariffs and barriers are removed.

Trade Credit and Political Risk Insurance products are enabling companies to operate across borders with greater confidence, while ATIDI’s involvement in infrastructure development ensures that the necessary physical backbone — including ports, roads and energy networks — is in place to support seamless trade.

The institution also plays a vital role in supporting financial institutions. By de-risking lending, particularly to SMEs, ATIDI is helping banks extend trade finance and working capital more broadly. The organisation’s strong credit rating enhances investor confidence, drawing both African and international capital into ventures under the AfCFTA framework.

ESG at the Heart of Risk Management

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations are embedded into ATIDI’s underwriting and portfolio management processes. Before taking on a project, ATIDI undertakes rigorous ESG assessments to identify potential risks related to climate impact, human rights, and governance practices.

The institution ensures that only projects aligned with responsible business conduct and long-term sustainability objectives receive coverage. Ongoing monitoring and due diligence reinforce ESG adherence throughout the project lifecycle.

ATIDI’s support of renewable energy projects via the RLSF exemplifies this commitment, as the facility improves bankability for clean energy developments by mitigating liquidity risks. In this way, ATIDI is actively contributing to Africa’s green transition while maintaining portfolio integrity.

Digital Transformation and Innovation

Technology is playing an increasingly central role in ATIDI’s operations. From advanced data analytics used in risk modelling to digital platforms that streamline underwriting, the organisation is leveraging digital innovation to enhance efficiency and service delivery.

Cybersecurity measures have also been strengthened to safeguard sensitive client data, with encryption and multi-factor authentication tools forming a robust defence against potential breaches.

As Africa’s financial ecosystem digitises, ATIDI is ensuring that its solutions remain agile, accessible and secure, meeting the evolving expectations of clients and investors.

Navigating Complex Terrain

Operating across a continent as diverse as Africa presents challenges related to regulatory fragmentation, political volatility, and data availability. ATIDI mitigates these issues through a blend of local engagement and international standards.

Its Preferred Creditor Status (PCS), recognised by member states, ensures that obligations related to its insurance products are honoured even during fiscal crises. This legal protection enhances investor trust and guarantees contract enforceability.

In jurisdictions with limited data transparency, ATIDI invests in market intelligence and regional expertise, enabling informed underwriting and risk management.

Building Capacity and Confidence

Beyond insurance provision, ATIDI plays a developmental role in strengthening institutional capacity and financial inclusion. Through instruments like the Portfolio Risk Sharing Agreement (PoRSA), ATIDI partners with financial institutions to extend credit to SMEs, boosting access to affordable finance.

Training programmes and workshops further build the capacity of public and private stakeholders, equipping them with the tools to better manage operational and regulatory risks.

This dual approach — offering both financial protection and institutional empowerment — ensures that businesses are not only shielded from risk but are also positioned to grow sustainably.

A Vision for the Future

ATIDI’s five-year corporate strategy (2023–2027) is focused on innovation, stakeholder engagement, and regional expansion. The organisation is actively pursuing new shareholders, diversifying capital sources, and strengthening ties with DFIs and ECAs to scale its impact.

Over the next decade, ATIDI aims to expand its footprint to include every African country. By enlarging its capital base and deepening partnerships, it seeks to play a central role in shaping Africa’s trade and investment future.

Guided by the SDGs and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, ATIDI is positioning itself as a Transformational, Reliable and Robust (#DTR2) partner. In doing so, it continues to drive Africa’s economic transformation, one risk-managed investment at a time.