For five days, Brazzaville served as Africa’s financial capital. More than three thousand participants gathered around a common objective: finding the resources needed to accelerate the continent’s development. In a global context marked by geopolitical tensions, rising debt and the post-Covid economic consequences, the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank focused on building a new African financial architecture capable of better financing the continent’s economies.
The 61st Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank group concluded on May 29, 2026, in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo. Over five days, the summit brought together heads of state, ministers, central bank governors and private sector stakeholders to define the continent’s new economic priorities. Discussions mainly focused on industrialization, local processing of resources and the acceleration of trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area. Particular emphasis was placed on trade finance, considered an essential lever to sustain this growth momentum.
“The discussions held in Brazzaville must now be translated into strategic orientations, concrete decisions and actions capable of sustainably improving the living conditions of African populations. It is under this condition that development financing will become a true lever for transformation, sovereignty and shared prosperity.”
ANATOLE COLLINET MAKOSSO, Prime Minister, Head of Government – Congo
However, the lack of financing for SMEs remains a major obstacle, with a gap estimated by the AfDB at more than 330 billion dollars. Limited access to foreign currency, compliance costs and the absence of solid guarantees continue to penalize many businesses. In response to these challenges, the AfDB intends to strengthen its support for African commercial banks in order to facilitate transactions, secure trade operations and improve SMEs’ a ccess to financing.
“As you know, the continent has abundant natural resources, but the issue is no longer to export them in their raw state, it is to transform them locally. That is the whole purpose of the large-scale mobilization of private capital, and also the purpose of developing risk mitigation mechanisms so that large-scale investments can take place in Africa, which will enable the continent to mobilize more resources.”
SIDI OULD TAH, President of the AfDB – Mauritania
The discussions also highlighted the decisive role of the private sector as a driver of growth and employment. The event was marked by the signing of several partnership and financing agreements between the African Development Bank and various continental organizations. These 61st Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank closed with a clear resolution: to sustain African financial mechanisms in the service of the continent’s economic progress. The challenge now is to turn the promises made in Brazzaville into tangible realities for the well-being of the population.
