NEPAD-IPPF Celebrates 20 Years of Boosting Africa’s Connectivity and Investment
The NEPAD-Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF), a multi-donor special fund hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), has marked its 20th anniversary during its 40th Oversight Committee Meeting, taking stock of progress and charting a renewed course for Africa’s regional infrastructure transformation.
Held online on 27 October 2025, the meeting brought together donor representatives, partner institutions, Regional Economic Communities, and implementing agencies. The milestone coincided with two decades of partnership, knowledge sharing, and measurable impact in advancing Africa’s regional connectivity agenda.
The Oversight Committee reviewed and approved the NEPAD-IPPF 2024 Annual Report, the 2025 Mid-Year Report, and activities under the Technical Assistance Fund. It also endorsed the 2026 Work Programme and Technical Assistance Fund, with a budget of USD 16 million aimed at accelerating the preparation of regional infrastructure projects under PIDA-PAP 2 and deepening collaboration with key stakeholders.
Since its inception, NEPAD-IPPF has supported 113 regional projects spanning energy, transport, ICT, and water sectors, committing over USD 124 million to project preparation and helping to mobilise more than USD 13 billion in downstream investments.
Mike Salawou, Director of the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department at AfDB, highlighted the importance of long-standing partnerships in driving NEPAD-IPPF’s achievements. “At the heart of our operations are our valued partners, Regional Economic Communities, Power Pools, Corridor Authorities, and Regional Specialized Agencies,” he said.
Salawou added that the Facility’s evolving role in accelerating corridor development and bankable project pipelines aligns closely with the G20 Regional Project Preparation Toolkit and the African Union’s PIDA PAP 2.
Ambassador Ben Marc Diendéré, Canada’s Permanent Observer to the African Union and Special Envoy for Africa, reaffirmed Canada’s continued support, noting its alignment with broader priorities for inclusive economic growth, regional integration, and sustainable development in Africa.
Birgit Pickel, Director-General for Africa (BMZ), commended NEPAD-IPPF for its strong track record, highlighting that over 60 projects supported by the Facility have reached financial closure or are under construction, catalysing more than USD 13 billion in investment commitments.
Other participating donor countries, including Spain and the United Kingdom, praised NEPAD-IPPF for its achievements, effective governance, and tangible results in advancing Africa’s infrastructure agenda.
NEPAD-IPPF provides financial and technical assistance to African countries, Regional Economic Communities, and Specialized Agencies to prepare viable and bankable regional infrastructure projects across energy, transport, ICT, and transboundary water sectors. The Facility pools resources from multiple donors to support early-stage project preparation and strengthen Africa’s infrastructure investment pipeline.
