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The President of the African Development Bank Group, Sidi Ould Tah, met with finance ministers from The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan this week, reinforcing the Bank’s collaboration with the region and promising to enhance efforts in economic development and stability.

Discussions took place during the 2025 World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Washington, DC, USA, focusing on economic issues, debt risks, and the region’s development goals, along with the African Development Fund’s upcoming 17th funding cycle (ADF-17).

The ministers, who also serve as Governors on the Bank’s Board, extended their congratulations to Dr. Ould Tah on his recent election as Bank president and commended his prior leadership accomplishments, including his work as head of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

Ghana’s minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, praised Dr. Ould Tah as “the appropriate leader to propel the African Development Bank Group to the next stage” and supported the Bank Group’s initiatives to connect agricultural development with Africa’s emerging financial framework and green industrialization plan.

The five nations also reconfirmed their dedication to the African Development Fund (ADF) and promised prompt assistance for the ADF-17 funding round, set to occur in London during mid-December.

A clear indication of trust in the Bank’s leadership and long-term plans was expressed by the Ghanaian minister, who stated that his nation will speed up its subscription payments and co-host an ADF-17 funding event with the United Kingdom. Gambia’s minister, Seedy Keita, revealed his country’s plan to support ADF-17, while Liberia’s minister, Augustine Ngafuan, and Sierra Leone’s Sheku Bangura pledged to include funds for the replenishment in their national budgets.

The five governors also showed firm backing for the Bank’s key goals related to industrial development, energy availability, and expansion of the private sector. Sierra Leone highlighted the significant impact of Mission 300 – a collaborative project with the World Bank aimed at providing energy access to another 300 million Africans by 2030 – in boosting regional supply chains and generating employment opportunities.

Sudan’s Minister Gibril Ibrahim thanked the Bank for its ongoing support throughout this transitional phase and asked for increased help in rebuilding areas affected by conflict, specifically in energy, agriculture, and education.

Tackling Debt Sustainability and Enhancing Resilience

Furthermore, the ministers expressed worry about increasing debt risks throughout Africa, calling on the Bank to enhance its assistance with debt restructuring, sustainability efforts, and domestic resource mobilization. They also highlighted the essential importance of addressing key issues under ADF-17 — such as fragility, resilience, and youth employment.

President Ould Tah emphasized that tackling these issues is key to his plan for a New African Financial Architecture—aimed at boosting Africa’s influence in global finance and directing more favorable and mixed funding toward nations in or recovering from crises.

He expressed gratitude to the ministers for their trust in him and emphasized that the Bank would keep collaborating closely with every nation to promote common goals, pointing out that their pledges to ADF-17 reflected increasing confidence in the Bank’s strategy and management.

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Tagged: West Africa, Sudan, Economy, Business and Finance, International Organizations and Africa, East Africa, External Relations

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