AfDB President Calls for Renewed Ambition and Investment-Led Partnerships in Africa
The Government of the Republic of Zambia is hosting the Third Consultation Meeting of the Seventeenth Replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF-17), taking place in Lusaka from 7 to 9 October 2025. The high-level meeting has brought together development partners, recipient countries, and senior leadership of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group to shape a renewed agenda for inclusive growth, climate resilience, regional integration, and governance reforms across Africa.
The African Development Fund, the concessional arm of the AfDB Group, provides critical financing to 37 low-income and fragile African countries. The Lusaka consultations mark a key milestone in advancing the priorities and financing framework of ADF-17, with delegates also visiting ADF-supported projects in Zambia to witness the Fund’s transformative impact.
This meeting marks the first ADF-17 engagement attended by the newly appointed AfDB President, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, signalling a renewed commitment to partnership and sustainable development.
In his opening address, Dr. Tah expressed profound appreciation to the Government and people of Zambia for their warm hospitality and commitment to a successful replenishment process.
“This replenishment is not about aid; it is about investment with measurable returns,” he said. “Each donor dollar to the ADF unlocks over $2.50 in co-financing and private-sector participation, multiplying our collective impact.”
Dr. Tah described the Lusaka meeting as a pivotal moment in shaping resource allocations for the 2026–2028 financing cycle. He noted that Africa’s financing needs to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals stand at $1.3 trillion, with an external financing gap of nearly half that amount.
“For many low-income and fragile states, the ADF is essential for building resilience to climate shocks, tackling humanitarian crises, and sustaining growth while preserving debt sustainability,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to the two-pillar framework endorsed by ADF Deputies—focusing on sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure and governance reforms to enhance domestic resource mobilisation and combat illicit financial flows.
The AfDB President also outlined four strategic priorities: mobilising resources at scale through innovative instruments such as the Market Borrowing Option; reforming Africa’s financial architecture for greater coherence and transparency; transforming the continent’s demographic dividend through job creation and SME growth; and building climate-resilient infrastructure to boost regional trade and connectivity through corridors like Lobito and Nacala.
Dr. Tah urged development partners to ratify the ADF Charter amendment before 31 December 2025, which would enable the Fund to surpass the 85 per cent market-borrowing threshold, a critical milestone for expanding its reach and sustainability.
Speaking on behalf of the Zambian Government, Mr. Charles Milupi, Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Planning and Acting Minister of Finance and National Planning, welcomed delegates and reaffirmed Zambia’s strong partnership with the AfDB Group.
“For over five decades, the African Development Fund has stood as a beacon of hope and solidarity, providing concessional resources that have improved livelihoods, expanded opportunities, and strengthened resilience across Africa,” said Mr. Milupi.
He congratulated Dr. Tah on his election as AfDB President and expressed confidence that his leadership would steer Africa toward “a stronger, more resilient, and prosperous future.” Mr. Milupi commended the Fund’s continued support to Zambia in energy, agriculture, and infrastructure, which he said had significantly contributed to national development.
He also called on development partners and African governments to harness complementary financing mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund and Global Environment Facility to expand the impact of ADF-supported initiatives and accelerate Africa’s transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient growth.
“Behind every figure, every project, and every policy are real people whose lives are being transformed through our shared commitment to sustainable development,” he added.
About 150 delegates from AfDB-ADF member states and institutions are attending the Lusaka consultations, which will pave the way for the final ADF-17 Replenishment and Pledging Session in December 2025.
The Government of Zambia expressed its gratitude to the African Development Bank Group and its partners for their enduring collaboration and shared vision of “Financing Africa’s Future Together.”
