Brazzaville Gears Up to Host 2026 AfDB Annual Meetings
A high-level delegation from the African Development Bank (AfDB) has concluded a successful consultation mission to the Republic of Congo in preparation for the 2026 Annual Meetings, set to be hosted in Brazzaville.
Led by AfDB Secretary General Vincent Nmehielle and Central Africa Director General Léandre Bassolé, the mission, held from 18 to 20 June 2025, focused on aligning with Congolese leadership on the significance, expectations, and preparations for the continent’s premier financial and development event.
Congo was officially designated the host country for the 2026 meetings by the Bank’s Board of Governors during its 2022 Annual Meetings in Accra, Ghana, following a thorough technical evaluation and an expression of interest by Congolese authorities.
“It is with genuine pride and a deep sense of responsibility that the Republic of Congo is preparing to host the African Development Bank’s next Annual Meetings,” said Ludovic Ngatsé, Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Integration, and newly appointed Chair of the Bank’s Board of Governors. “This symbolic choice reflects our strong partnership with the Bank and offers a platform to showcase Congo’s economic potential.”
The delegation was received by Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso, Minister Ngatsé, Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso, and other senior officials. Discussions included event planning, Congo’s public debt management, and key infrastructure development ahead of the meetings.
The 2026 gathering will also mark the first Annual Meetings under the leadership of AfDB’s incoming President, Mr. Sidi Ould Tah. The event is expected to attract top-level African and global stakeholders, requiring extensive coordination and resources across government ministries.
Highlighting Congo’s readiness, the delegation visited potential venues and critical infrastructure, including the nearly completed Brazzaville datacentre—part of the EUR 66.55 million Central African Fibre-Optic Backbone (CAB) project. With 90% of works done, the datacentre stands as a flagship example of digital integration and AfDB-funded development.
“This facility could be a major highlight during the Annual Meetings,” said CAB project coordinator Michel Ngakala, noting that the remaining work focuses on finalizing server rooms and civil engineering.
The Annual Meetings serve as a key forum for evaluating the Bank’s performance and strategic direction. But for Congo, the event also represents a national opportunity to present major reforms and attract regional and international investment.
Both the Bank and the Congolese government reaffirmed their commitment to seamless coordination across infrastructure, logistics, and communications to ensure the success of the 2026 Annual Meetings.
