Africa takes control of its wealth, unlocking close to $1 trillion in assets locally managed

The shifting global financial landscape is underscoring a new era of economic autonomy for African nations.

Increasingly, the continent is asserting greater direct control over its substantial financial assets, which are managed by key public institutions such as state-run public pension funds, national central banks, and sovereign wealth funds (SWFs).

This new shift has resulted in the continent managing close to a record $1 trillion in assets, as reported by Reuters.

Financial aid cuts are the primary reason for this trend, as Africa has been forced to look for domestic solutions to internal problems.

“African (institutions) are at an all-time high, with circa $1 trillion in AuM,” the report reads in part.

“Most are designed to catalyze FDI into Africa,” it adds.

Much of the money is handled by pension funds and central banks, but the continent is also experiencing a tremendous rise in the total amount of sovereign wealth funds investing in state assets.

The GlobalSWF report showed that in 2025, alone, 5 new sovereign wealth funds popped up, including BSWF in Botswana, FIS-RDC in the Democratic Republic of Congo, ESWF in Eswatini, KSWF in Kenya, and OSWF in Nigeria’s Oyo state.

The Libyan Investment Authority, with $68 billion in assets under administration, is the largest among Africa’s roughly 33 national wealth funds.

As per he lastest data from GlobalSWF’s findings, Sub-Saharan Africa holds 1% of the $ 17.0 trillion controlled by the world’s central banks, which would put the figure at $170 billion.

While the report tells of growth, this 1% is a far cry from continents such as Asia and Europe, which control 49% and 31% of the total funds, respectively.

Africa possesses the lowest ratio at 1%, a figure mirroring its 1% share of the world’s $14.3 trillion in sovereign wealth funds, Africa controls.

The number here amounts to $143 billion for Africa, distant from Asia’s $5.148 trillion (36%) and Asia’s $2.574 trillion (18%).

And of the world’s total public pension funds, which amounts to $25.9 trillion, Africa only controls $259 billion, which is also 1%.