AfDB President Strengthens Ties with Key European Partners at IMF-World Bank Talks

The President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr Sidi Ould Tah, met with senior government officials from France, Belgium, and Luxembourg on Friday, reaffirming the Bank's strong partnership with three of its leading European shareholders. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings, marking Dr Ould Tah's first participation in the event since assuming office earlier this year.

The meetings underscored the AfDB's deepening collaboration with its partners ahead of the seventeenth replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF-17), the institution's concessional lending arm. The replenishment conference is set to be held in London on December 15–16, and will be pivotal in securing financing for the continent's 37 most vulnerable economies.

A Renewed Commitment to Strengthen Africa's Development Partnerships

Dr Ould Tah's engagements in Washington reflect a renewed focus on multilateral and bilateral partnerships to accelerate Africa's development trajectory. Over the course of the week, he held high-level discussions with government representatives, international financial institutions, private sector leaders, and investment fund managers, outlining his vision for the Bank's next phase of growth.

At the core of his message was the AfDB's "Four Cardinal Points" vision—a strategic framework designed to:

1. Enhance Africa's access to capital through innovative financial instruments.

2. Reform the continent's financial architecture to improve resilience and sustainability.

3. Harness Africa's demographic potential, particularly its youth, for economic transformation.

4. Build climate-resilient infrastructure to safeguard the continent's future growth.

"The African Development Bank stands ready to work with all partners to unlock Africa's potential," Dr Ould Tah stated. "Our partnerships are vital to ensuring inclusive growth, financial innovation, and sustainable progress for every African nation."

France: A Major Supporter of Africa's Development Agenda

In his meeting with Bertrand Dumont, Director General of the French Treasury, Dr Ould Tah emphasized the strategic importance of France's partnership with the AfDB. France contributed €560 million to the ADF-16 replenishment, ranking as the fourth-largest donor to the Fund.

French support has been instrumental in driving the AfDB's flagship initiatives, including:

• The Desert to Power Initiative, aimed at expanding renewable energy access across the Sahel;

• Mission 300, a regional energy-sector transformation program;

• The Great Green Wall initiative to combat desertification and promote sustainable land use; and

• The AFAWA initiative (Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa), empowering women entrepreneurs with access to finance.

Dr Ould Tah also met with Rémy Rioux, Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD), to review progress under the existing 2021–2026 co-financing and partnership framework agreement. To date, AFD has committed €1.64 billion to projects co-financed with the AfDB, targeting key areas such as climate resilience, fragility response, private sector growth, and regional integration.

"Our partnership with France continues to evolve around shared priorities—supporting Africa's economic transformation through sustainable and inclusive projects," said Dr Ould Tah.

Belgium: Expanding Cooperation and Shared Development Goals

During his meeting with Heidy Rombouts, Belgium's Director General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, the AfDB President praised Belgium's longstanding cooperation and growing financial commitment to Africa.

Belgium contributed €79.4 million to ADF-16—an increase of over 4% from its previous contribution. The country's development policy aligns closely with the AfDB's focus areas: 13 of Belgium's 14 priority countries for international cooperation are in Africa.

Both parties explored opportunities to expand collaboration in fragile states, strengthen governance and institutional reforms, and enhance education and healthcare systems through targeted investments.

"Belgium's partnership exemplifies solidarity and shared responsibility," said Dr Ould Tah. "Together, we are working to ensure that African communities thrive in stability and opportunity."

Luxembourg: Promoting Financial Inclusion and Capital Market Development

In a meeting with Gilles Roth, the Minister of Finance of Luxembourg, Dr Ould Tah encouraged the Grand Duchy to increase its support for ADF-17 and further expand cooperation in innovative finance and digital development.

Luxembourg, which became a shareholder of the AfDB in 2014, has maintained a consistent record of development contributions. It provided €12.7 million for ADF-16 and has been a key donor to the Capital Markets Development Trust Fund (CMDTF)—a mechanism that helps African nations strengthen regulatory frameworks, deepen capital markets, and attract private investment.

Luxembourg remains one of the few advanced economies that allocates more than 0.7% of its Gross National Income (GNI) to Official Development Assistance (ODA), a benchmark long promoted by the United Nations.

"Luxembourg's leadership in sustainable finance and inclusive investment aligns closely with our mission to create resilient, well-regulated markets across Africa," Dr Ould Tah noted.

Mobilizing Global Support for Africa's Transformation

Dr Ould Tah's series of meetings in Washington reinforced his proactive approach to international cooperation, especially in the run-up to the ADF-17 replenishment. The discussions highlighted the collective responsibility of global partners to support Africa's priorities in climate adaptation, renewable energy, economic diversification, and financial innovation.

The African Development Bank Group has financed projects benefiting over 560 million people across the continent in the past decade, through programs addressing infrastructure, food security, gender equality, and job creation. With ADF-17 on the horizon, the Bank seeks to mobilize greater concessional financing to help African nations tackle emerging challenges, from climate shocks to debt vulnerabilities.

"The AfDB's mission is rooted in partnership and shared prosperity," Dr Ould Tah affirmed. "As we look to the future, we will continue to work closely with our shareholders and stakeholders to deliver tangible results for Africa's people."