Brazzaville – Africa needs to rely more on its own financial strength and resources if it wants greater control over its development future, the President of the African Development Bank Group said as the Bank’s annual meetings continue in Brazzaville this week.
The remarks from Dr Sidi Ould Tah come as leaders, investors and policymakers gather in the Republic of Congo for one of the continent’s biggest development gatherings.
Speaking as proceedings got under way, Tah pointed to a growing need for Africa to play a bigger role in financing its own future. Discussions emerging from this year’s meetings suggest the continent is increasingly seeking ways to become a stronger investor in its own development rather than relying primarily on external funding.
The conversation comes at a time when development finance is becoming more difficult and expensive to secure globally. Governments across the continent continue facing pressure to finance infrastructure, climate adaptation, food systems, energy projects and employment while navigating a more uncertain global economy.
According to the Bank, Africa faces a development financing gap estimated at around $400 billion each year.
This year’s annual meetings are taking place under the theme Mobilising Africa’s Development Financing at Scale in a Fragmented World, with discussions expected to focus on investment, economic resilience and long-term growth.
More than 3,000 delegates are attending the meetings at the Kintele Conference Centre, including heads of state, finance ministers, central bank governors, investors and development institutions from across Africa and beyond.
Day two of the programme includes the release of the 2026 African Economic Outlook report and discussions on expanding infrastructure opportunities for young people through jobs, skills development and public procurement.
The African Development Bank annual meetings continue in Brazzaville until 29 May.
