The African Development Fund (ADF), the concessional window of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, has announced a record mobilization of USD 11 billion to support low-income African countries. This level of financing, the highest ever achieved since the fund’s creation in 1972, marks a renewed commitment from the international community to the continent’s sustainable development.

An Ambitious Response to the Continent’s Economic Challenges

This new ADF replenishment cycle comes at a global time marked by multiple crises: economic slowdown, increased public debt, food insecurity, and the impacts of climate change. According to AfDB Group President Akinwumi Adesina, this record mobilization will finance transformative projects in the areas of energy, agriculture, climate resilience, and governance.

The objective is clear: to strengthen the capacity of the most vulnerable African countries to overcome shocks and accelerate their economic transformation. Approximately 37 African countries will directly benefit from these resources.

Clearly defined strategic priorities

The ADF dedicates a significant portion of these funds to:

• Investment in sustainable infrastructure, including roads, regional interconnections, and access to electricity.
• Food security, through support for resilient agricultural systems and agro-industrial transformation.
• Climate change adaptation, through water management and reforestation projects.
• Strengthening governance and human capital, to create jobs and stimulate inclusive growth.

A leading role for the African Development Bank Group

Under the leadership of Akinwumi Adesina, the AfDB has positioned itself as a central player in development finance on the continent. This unprecedented mobilization of $11 billion reflects the confidence of donor countries in the Group’s performance and in the ADF’s tangible results on the ground.

More than 30 contributing countries participated in the financing, including several European, North American, and Asian partners, as well as emerging African actors.

A strong signal for African development

This fundraising marks a significant step towards achieving the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It demonstrates that, despite global economic challenges, international solidarity with Africa remains strong.

With this record-breaking allocation, the African Development Fund (ADF) intends to boost investment in strategic sectors and accelerate the continent’s structural transformation in the coming years.