By Lucy Ogalue
African Development Bank (AfDB) has reaffirmed commitment to strengthening support for women, youth and small businesses across Africa.
The President of the AfDB Group, Sidi Ould Tah, made the pledge at the close of the bank’s 2026 Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo on Friday.
Tah said development could not be achieved only through institutions and offices, but must involve communities and grassroots actors.
According to him, civil society organisations, philanthropists and members of the African diaspora play critical roles in Africa’s development.
He added that “we will intensify cooperation to address Africa’s key priorities: women empowerment, youth employment, support for small and medium-sized enterprises and universal access to essential services.”
He assured stakeholders that the bank would remain a strong partner in advancing those priorities across the continent.
The AfDB boss commended President Denis Sassou Nguesso for abolishing visa requirement for all African citizens entering Congo, describing the move as “a courageous and strategic decision that reflects Africa’s growing integration agenda.
“The fact that it was announced during our Annual Meetings sends a powerful signal that African integration is moving from aspiration to reality.”
He announced that Angola had committed 6.5 million euros to the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF-17).
According to him, the contribution increases the number of African countries supporting ADF-17 to 25, with total commitments exceeding 190 million dollars.
He reiterated AfDB’s determination to become “a bolder and more innovative institution focused on Africa’s structural transformation.
“Our ambition is to become the true catalyst for Africa’s structural transformation and the preferred instrument of its economic integration.”
He added that the bank aimed to position itself as “the Bank of Solutions for the Africa we want.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)