BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo
Governors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) have called for accelerated reform of Africa’s financial architecture and endorsed President Sidi Ould Tah’s Four Cardinal Points strategic vision aimed at strengthening the continent’s economic transformation.
The call came at the close of the Bank Group’s 2026 Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, held May 25-29, where governors urged Ould Tah to advance reforms under the New African Financial Architecture for Development framework to mobilize large-scale resources for Africa’s development.
“The Board of Governors approved and encouraged the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, to implement his vision, ‘the Four Cardinal Points,’ to strengthen Africa’s capacity for action and influence in an increasingly fragmented world,” Ludovic Ngatsé, chair of the Bank Group’s Boards of Governors, said during the closing ceremony.
Ngatsé, who is also the Republic of the Congo’s minister of economy, planning, statistics and forecasting, said governors supported efforts to make the institution more agile, flexible and responsive to beneficiaries across the continent.
Ould Tah welcomed what he described as strong support from member countries and emphasized the need for decisive action to address Africa’s development challenges.
“It is bold political decisions that will make the difference on the ground,” he said. “I have listened to you, and I have heard you.”
More than 4,000 participants from over 81 countries attended the five-day meetings, held under the theme “Mobilizing large-scale resources for financing Africa’s development in a fragmented world.”
Several financing commitments were announced during the gathering. Angola pledged 6.5 million euros to the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund, bringing the number of African contributors to 25 and total commitments from African countries to more than $190 million.
More than $3 billion in commitments were also announced for the Congo Basin Blue Fund, which supports environmental conservation and sustainable development across 17 African countries.
Japan pledged $10 million for the African Facility for Medicines and Medical Equipment, while additional agreements were signed to advance the Bank’s strategic priorities.
Speaking after the closing ceremony, Ould Tah said the African Development Bank would remain focused on practical solutions, including support for small and medium-sized enterprises, young people and women, while helping countries mobilize more domestic resources and create jobs through economic transformation.
