AfDB President Ould Tah Strengthens Ties with West African Finance Ministers

In a key show of partnership and regional solidarity, African Development Bank Group (AfDB) President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah met this week with the finance ministers of The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, reaffirming the Bank's commitment to advancing economic transformation, resilience, and sustainable growth across West Africa and beyond.

The high-level consultations took place on the sidelines of the 2025 World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., and provided a vital platform for dialogue on shared development priorities, debt challenges, and preparations for the African Development Fund's 17th replenishment (ADF-17).

"The African Development Bank Group remains a steadfast partner to all African nations," said Dr. Ould Tah. "Our focus is to strengthen resilience, build inclusive economies, and ensure that Africa has a stronger voice in the evolving global financial architecture."

Reaffirming Partnership and Shared Vision

The meeting brought together a constituency of ministers who also serve as Governors on the AfDB Board of Governors, representing a region that continues to confront complex economic and fiscal challenges amid global uncertainties.

Participants included:

• Seedy Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, The Gambia

• Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, Ghana

• Augustine Ngafuan, Minister of Finance, Liberia

• Sheku Bangura, Minister of Finance, Sierra Leone

• Gibril Ibrahim, Minister of Finance, Sudan

The ministers congratulated Dr. Ould Tah on his recent election as President of the AfDB Group and lauded his visionary leadership and proven track record during his tenure at the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). They commended his commitment to inclusive growth, macroeconomic stability, and innovative development financing.

Ghana's Minister Cassiel Ato Forson described Dr. Ould Tah as "the right leader to take the African Development Bank Group to the next level," praising the Bank's growing focus on linking agricultural transformation, industrialisation, and green finance.

Strong Commitment to ADF-17 Replenishment

The ministers reaffirmed their countries' unwavering support for the African Development Fund (ADF) — the concessional lending arm of the AfDB — and pledged early commitments to ensure the success of the upcoming ADF-17 replenishment, scheduled to take place in London in mid-December 2025.

Their commitments reflect deep confidence in the Bank's governance, transparency, and long-term strategy to accelerate Africa's development and resilience.

• Ghana announced that it will accelerate its subscription payments and co-host the ADF-17 pledging session with the United Kingdom.

• The Gambia's Seedy Keita confirmed his country's intention to contribute financially to the replenishment — a significant gesture of solidarity and ownership.

• Liberia's Augustine Ngafuan and Sierra Leone's Sheku Bangura pledged to allocate national budgetary resources to the replenishment effort, underlining their commitment to sustainable regional financing.

• Sudan's Gibril Ibrahim expressed appreciation for the Bank's continued engagement and requested enhanced support for post-conflict recovery, particularly in agriculture, education, and energy.

"The confidence our member states place in the Bank underscores its vital role as Africa's premier development finance institution," Dr. Ould Tah said. "The upcoming ADF-17 will help us scale up concessional and blended finance for countries facing fragility, debt distress, and emerging from crisis."

Advancing Regional Priorities: Energy, Agriculture, and Industrialisation

The five finance ministers also voiced strong backing for the AfDB's High 5 strategic priorities, particularly in the areas of industrialisation, energy access, agriculture, and private-sector development.

A central focus of the discussions was Mission 300, a transformative initiative jointly launched by the AfDB and the World Bank to provide energy access to 300 million Africans by 2030. Sierra Leone's Minister Sheku Bangura emphasised the programme's potential to accelerate value chain development, expand job creation, and strengthen regional competitiveness.

"Mission 300 represents a game-changing step toward universal energy access in Africa," said Bangura. "Reliable energy is the foundation for industrialisation, education, and improved livelihoods."

Dr. Ould Tah assured the ministers that the Bank will continue to prioritise investments in sustainable energy, modern agriculture, and value addition, while leveraging partnerships with the private sector, development institutions, and regional blocs to maximise impact.

Tackling Debt Vulnerabilities and Building Resilience

Another major theme of the discussions was debt sustainability — a pressing issue for many African economies navigating global interest rate fluctuations and rising fiscal pressures. The ministers urged the AfDB to expand its support for debt management, restructuring, and domestic resource mobilisation, while facilitating access to affordable financing for development priorities.

"Debt vulnerabilities threaten to undermine hard-won development gains," said one minister. "We must work with partners like the AfDB to strengthen fiscal resilience and promote transparent, sustainable borrowing practices."

Dr. Ould Tah reaffirmed that debt sustainability and resilience-building will remain at the core of his presidency. He outlined his vision for a "New African Financial Architecture", aimed at enhancing Africa's representation in global finance and mobilising more concessional and blended financing for fragile and low-income countries.

"Africa needs a financial ecosystem designed for its realities — one that prioritises equity, innovation, and inclusion," he stated. "Our focus is to empower countries to manage debt sustainably while accelerating the transition toward resilient, diversified economies."

Supporting Fragility and Post-Conflict Recovery

Sudan's Minister Gibril Ibrahim highlighted his nation's ongoing transitional challenges and called for greater AfDB support in rebuilding critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, and education. He commended the Bank's sustained engagement despite political instability and conflict, underscoring its role as a reliable partner in peacebuilding and reconstruction.

Dr. Ould Tah reiterated that the AfDB stands ready to strengthen its assistance to fragile and post-conflict states, ensuring that no member country is left behind in Africa's pursuit of shared prosperity.

"The African Development Bank has always been a partner in both good and difficult times," Ould Tah said. "We will continue to support our member countries as they rebuild, reform, and reimagine their economies."

Looking Ahead: A Renewed Commitment to Africa's Transformation

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of collective commitment to the AfDB's core mission: promoting inclusive growth, economic stability, and sustainable transformation across Africa.

Dr. Ould Tah thanked the ministers for their trust and active participation, emphasizing that their support for ADF-17 and the Bank's strategic priorities is crucial to achieving a resilient, prosperous, and self-reliant Africa.

"Our unity and shared purpose are our greatest strengths," he said. "Together, we can drive Africa's transformation — creating opportunities, building resilience, and ensuring that every African nation thrives in the global economy."

The discussions in Washington set the stage for deeper collaboration as the Bank and its member states prepare for ADF-17, a pivotal moment for scaling up development finance and consolidating Africa's role in shaping the global economic future.