AfDB’s ADI Leads Policy Dialogue on Transition States in Abuja
The African Development Institute (ADI) of the African Development Bank Group has convened a high-level policy dialogue at the 66th Nigerian Economic Society (NES) Annual Conference, focusing on the urgent need to accelerate structural transformation in Africa’s transition states.
The session, held under the theme “Driving Africa’s Economic Transformation in Transition States: The Role of Capacity Development and Knowledge Management,” is bringing together senior public officials from 22 transition states alongside economists, development experts, and policymakers.
Transition states in Africa continue to grapple with weak governance, economic fragility, debt distress, limited social services, and low resilience to shocks. These challenges, compounded by the impacts of COVID-19, conflict, and climate change, threaten progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.
Dr Eric Kehinde Ogunleye, Director of the African Development Institute, is delivering the keynote presentation, setting the stage for discussions on governance, fiscal policy, demography, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. Senior Bank executives, development experts, and practitioners will also contribute through a panel discussion.
The dialogue aims to highlight enablers and barriers to transformation, showcase the Bank’s flagship capacity development programmes—such as the Public Finance Management Academy (PFMA), Macroeconomic Modelling Academy (MEMA), and Policy Dialogue and Management Academy (PDMA)—as well as flagship knowledge products including the African Economic Outlooks and Regional Economic Outlooks.
Beyond discussions, the African Development Institute is maintaining an exhibition stand throughout the four-day event, offering consultations, capacity development clinics, and showcasing knowledge tools and services.
The NES Annual Conference, running from 8–11 September at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja and online, is expected to draw more than 2,500 economists and leaders. The broader conference theme, “Rethinking Africa’s Development: Pathways to Economic Transformation and Social Inclusion in a Changing Global Economic Landscape,” will see debates on digital finance, youth employment, job creation, skills development, and governance.
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Ogunleye stressed that unlocking Africa’s potential is critical to achieving annual GDP growth rates of at least 7% that are inclusive and sustainable: “Transition states cannot be left behind. Strengthening capacity and knowledge systems is essential for building resilience and ensuring every African nation participates in the continent’s transformation journey.”
