After five days of discussions, strategic debates, and high-level meetings, the 61st Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank wrapped up on May 29, 2026, in Brazzaville. Over 4,500 participants—including delegates, heads of state, finance ministers, central bank governors, investors, and experts from across Africa and beyond—came together for this major African economic event. The main focus: mobilizing African resources to finance the continent’s development amid global economic, climate, and geopolitical tensions. Brazzaville truly became Africa’s capital of finance and development. Here’s a recap of the highlights from the 2026 Annual Meetings of the AfDB.
For five days, Brazzaville was buzzing with the rhythm of the African Development Bank. From May 25 to 29, the Kintélé International Conference Center hosted the 61st Annual Meetings of the AfDB Group and the 52nd Annual Meetings of the African Development Fund. This year’s theme was: « Mobilizing African resources to finance the continent’s structural development. » It summed up the challenges Africa faces: shrinking foreign financing, heavy debt burdens, climate vulnerability, huge infrastructure needs, and the urgent need for industrialization. The AfDB estimates a development funding gap of around $400 billion per year for the continent.
“Ladies and gentlemen, many thought Africa was too poor to fund its own development, too divided to build strong continental institutions, and too dependent to set its own economic priorities. But African leaders chose action over dependence. They understood that independence can’t just be symbolic—it has to show up in African institutions that can carry the continent’s ambitions.”
Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group – Mauritania
The 2026 edition also marked a big institutional milestone for the AfDB. The Brazzaville meetings were the first under Mauritanian Sidi Ould Tah’s leadership as the new president of the pan-African institution. Under his guidance, the African Development Fund secured a record $11 billion replenishment in December 2025 aimed at low-income African countries. For the Republic of Congo, the host country, these meetings were a diplomatic, economic, and symbolic milestone.
“Today, the world is reshaping itself, and Africa can’t develop without roads, railways, airports, ports, and energy infrastructure. When it comes to energy, nearly 600 million Africans still don’t have access to electricity. To close this gap, the World Bank and the African Development Bank have launched a mission to bring electricity to 300 million people by 2030. This will transform lives, create jobs, and boost infrastructure development.”
Denis Sassou N’Guesso, President of the Republic – Congo
Throughout the week, debates covered industrialization, agricultural processing, energy, digital innovation, debt, and youth employment. Participants stressed the importance of Africa tapping more into its own resources, strengthening its private sector, and adding value locally to raw materials to create more jobs. Beyond the talk, one question stood out: how do we turn these ambitions into real results for African people?
“Africa shows every day that it’s full of potential and ambition. What Africa needs now is a culture of execution and impact. The decisions made in Brazzaville should quickly translate into accessible capital, game-changing infrastructure, and real improvements in people’s lives. Our commitments only matter if they positively change the development path of our continent, especially the daily lives of African citizens.”
Ludovic Ngatse , Minister of Economy, Planning, Statistics, and Forecasting – Congo
On top of the economic talks, Brazzaville hosted a symbolic moment with the awarding of the “Grand Builder Babacar Ndiaye” Trophy. Named after the former AfDB president who boosted the bank’s reputation, this honor goes to African leaders whose work has made lasting contributions to economic transformation and infrastructure development on the continent. This year, it went to Guinea’s President, General Mamadi Doumbouya, recognizing his reforms and major investments in infrastructure, energy, and transport.
“The Simandou project is truly a unifying example that Africa can be proud of. Today, the goal is to do even more projects like Simandou, as part of the Simandou 2040 program. We’re proud and grateful. On behalf of our president and people of Guinea, I thank those who recognized his outstanding work and the work still ahead. May God bless Africa, Guinea, Congo, and may the fight continue.”
Ismaël Nabé, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation – Guinea
The meetings also highlighted climate finance and protecting Africa’s major forest basins, especially the Congo Basin—the world’s second-largest lung after the Amazon. The Congo Basin forests absorb nearly 1.5 billion tons of CO2 every year. Many African leaders argued that countries on the continent should be better compensated for protecting these global ecosystems.
“Climate change is already cutting into our GDP by 5%, which is huge for African economies. We also see that the value of our carbon credits is very low – under 10 perton – while in places like the US and Europe, it’s over 100. This clearly exposes the inequalities in today’s global system. With the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), we’re facing a new kind of trade barrier, yet the EU remains one of our biggest export markets.”
Claver GATETE, Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa – Rwanda
Another big highlight was the dialogue with African and international private sectors. Investors, banks, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs exchanged ideas about innovative financing tools: green bonds, public-private partnerships, sovereign wealth funds, and mobilizing African savings. The AfDB estimates Africa has close to $4 trillion in institutional savings that haven’t yet been fully tapped to fuel the continent’s economies. The goal is to reduce reliance on foreign funding and build stronger, more resilient African economies.
“The key question is how, through the African Continental Free Trade Area, we can boost our private sector, get more resources to SMEs—which really create wealth—and rethink our whole value chains. That’s why one of President Sidi Ould Tah’s main priorities is industrialization and local processing. Imagine if we can equip Africa to process its raw materials—like bauxite, cocoa—right here at home.”
Didier Acouetey, Senior Advisor to the AfDB President on NAFAD – Togo
Youth and women entrepreneurs also had a big spotlight throughout the discussions. Several sessions focused on access to finance, innovation, and entrepreneurship among Africa’s new generations. Every year, about 10 to 12 million young people enter the African job market, but only around 3 million formal jobs are created annually.
The discussions also highlighted the growing role of women in Africa’s economy. Africa still leads the world in women entrepreneurship rates. Yet female entrepreneurs face a financing gap estimated at over $42 billion. For the AfDB, youth and women-led entrepreneurship are now key drivers of Africa’s economic transformation.
“We came here to rally support and talk about financing youth and women in Central Africa. Mobilizing the funds needed to empower especially women and youth is absolutely essential…”
Mickaëlla Ange-Marie ALLADAGNIWEKE, Executive Assistant, LaRAD Think Tank NGO – Benin
Beyond the economic talks, these meetings also showcased Congo’s cultural and diplomatic side. Between bilateral meetings, exhibitions, cultural days, and economic forums, Brazzaville welcomed delegations from across Africa and many international partners. Since 1972, the African Development Bank has funded over $1.2 billion worth of projects in Congo’s transport, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.
“This was a real chance to present to the governors the vision based on four key pillars and to get their input and strong support for rolling out the bank’s new strategy—the implementation of the four pillars of the new African financial architecture for development. But I think we must recognize Congo’s leadership, because, under the great guidance of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, the Republic of Congo achieved something very important in Paris.”
Sidi Ould Tah, President of the AfDB Group – Mauritania
The 2026 AfDB Annual Meetings laid the groundwork for a new African economic narrative focused on financial sovereignty, regional integration, and maximizing the continent’s resources. This edition was marked by a call to massively mobilize African resources to fund development, all while facing a very uncertain global context.
