The Malabo Declaration recognises that the creation of enabling policy and institutional conditions to attract private investments into agriculture is key to achieving agricultural transformation. Priority is given to local investors. The public sector should assume a revised position as convenor and facilitator of third party investments. To this end, it should strengthen its deal-making capacity and address concerns such as legal protection, reasonable taxation, consistency, reliability, and repatriation of capital as well as adequate regulation to curb unethical business practices. Investment clearinghouses mandated to scout, pre-assess and possibly assist ongoing initiatives could be a valuable mechanism to link innovation with investment, as they would reduce assessment costs for investors. The focus on local investment gives way to unconventional investors such as social or impact investment funds, high net-worth individuals, family funds and crowdfunding.