In a move to strengthen African ownership in development financing, five African countries – The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan – have collectively pledged $16 million to the African Development Fund (ADF).
The announcement was made on Monday during a constituency meeting held on the sidelines of the AfDB’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Representatives of the pledging nations were present, including Sheku Bangura, Finance Minister, Sierra Leone; Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, Ghana; Rufus Darkotey, Executive Director, AFDB; and Augustine Kpehe Ngafaun, Minister of Finance and Development Planning of Liberia.
This marks the first time all five countries in this constituency have made financial contributions to the ADF, with pledges tripling from the previous cycle’s $5 million.
Ghana led the way with a $5 million pledge, followed by $3 million each from Sudan, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, and $2 million from The Gambia.
As a result, the number of African countries contributing to the fund has risen from 8 to 13 – a 62.5% increase in continental participation.
“This is a powerful message that Africa is not just a recipient but a partner in shaping its own future,” said Rufus, who, along with Sierra Leone’s Sheku Bangura, was honored during the meeting for his leadership as their terms ended.
Minister Bangura reflected on the journey of the constituency, emphasizing resilience and unity.
“Three years ago, the road looked steep. But together, we turned challenges into stepping stones – building resilience, amplifying our voice, and unlocking greater financing flows for our countries,” he said.
The engine for Africa’s fragile states
Established in 1972, the African Development Fund is the AfDB’s primary concessional window, providing grants and highly concessional loans to 37 of Africa’s poorest and most fragile countries to support inclusive and sustainable development.
One of its flagship initiatives is the Desert to Power project, which aims to provide electricity access to 250 million people across the Sahel through solar energy investment.
The ADF committed over $150 million across multiple tranches to this programme, which expands off-grid access, improves energy reliability for essential services, and boosts regional energy integration.
Growing African commitment
In the ADF-15 cycle, total donor pledges – from both African and non-African countries – amounted to $7.6 billion, with African nations contributing just $5 million.
This cycle’s $16 million pledge from five countries alone represents a major step toward greater African financial ownership.
With the continent facing widening development financing gaps, the increased participation sends a strong signal to global partners and bolsters the AfDB’s position in global development finance.
