AfDB President Urges Unity Ahead of Pivotal ADF-17 Pledging Session
African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah has called for solidarity and decisive commitment as donor nations and beneficiary countries prepare for the crucial pledging session of the African Development Fund’s 17th replenishment (ADF-17), scheduled for mid-December in London.
Speaking at the close of a two-day consultative meeting in Lusaka, Dr Ould Tah underscored that the Fund is not merely an aid mechanism but a strategic investment platform that drives inclusive growth, builds resilience, and unlocks private capital across Africa’s most vulnerable economies.
“This replenishment is not just about aid, but about investment with measurable returns,” Dr Ould Tah stated. “The ADF remains our collective instrument to foster resilience and drive inclusive growth.”
During the meeting, the Government of Zambia announced a US$5 million commitment to the Fund’s 17th replenishment cycle, reaffirming its confidence in the ADF’s impact on Africa’s development agenda.
Delegates also undertook field visits to the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia facility and the Science and Technology Education Project at the University of Zambia, highlighting how ADF financing supports food security, youth employment, and innovation for sustainable growth.
Dr Ould Tah urged participants to finalise all policy discussions and bilateral engagements ahead of the London session, ensuring that the December meeting focuses entirely on pledges and partnership-building.
“As we now turn our eyes toward London, let us carry with us the spirit of Lusaka: unity, pragmatism, and shared determination,” he said. “ADF-17 must be an emblematic replenishment for Africa, one that marks the beginning of a new cycle of ambition, confidence, and results.”
The African Development Fund (ADF) serves as the concessional arm of the African Development Bank Group, providing critical financial support to 37 low-income and fragile African countries. It focuses on infrastructure, regional integration, private sector development, and governance reforms.
The ADF-16 Delivery and Results Report, presented in Lusaka, showcased the Fund’s transformative impact in 2024, improving access to clean water for 2.9 million people, connecting over 500,000 individuals to electricity, supporting 24,000 agribusinesses (a third led by women), and helping create 560,000 jobs across the continent.
With the upcoming ADF-17 pledging session in December, the meeting represents a defining moment to mobilise stronger global partnerships and financial support for Africa’s sustainable development and climate resilience.
