China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund), a Beijing-based private equity firm focusing on Africa, and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), the private sector arm of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group, have joined forces to enhance trade and investment opportunities in Africa.

CADFund and ICD have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which envisages to enhance trade and investment opportunities in 19 African countries through co-financing and co-investments, with the aim of promoting inclusive growth and financial inclusion.

Shi Jiyang, CEO and President of CADFund, said: “In recent years, although Africa’s economy has grown rapidly, questions are sometimes raised regarding the sustainability of this growth. I believe this MoU has an important role to play.”

“It will not only help stimulate business and investment in Africa moving forward, but it will also contribute to the sustainable economic development of the selected African countries by expanding the private sector and most importantly, creating quality jobs,” he said.

Research collaboration and capacity-building programs that are tailored and demand-driven will also be conducted to better serve target markets.

In addition, efforts will be focused on boosting support for African small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), widely recognized as an important economic driver and key contributor to sustainable GDP growth.

The MoU was signed at the side lines of the landmark China-OIC Forum 2016 in Beijing by Khaled Al Aboodi, CEO and General Manager of ICD, and Shi Jiyang, CEO and President of CADFund.

Al-Aboodi said: “ICD and CADfund are founded on similar principles and mandate. We share the vision of promoting trade, foreign direct investment and inclusive economic growth on a continent which is full of potential.”

“By joining hands, we can better combine our expertise and commitment to achieve greater economic prosperity for the benefit of all. Additionally, as we focus on the SME sector, we hope to unleash entrepreneurial energy and help attract private investment in ideas that are new, inspiring, and useful,” he said.