United Kingdom to host African Development Fund replenishment pledging session, reaffirming strong support

United Kingdom to Host African Development Fund Replenishment Pledging Session, Reaffirming Strong Support

In a significant move underscoring its commitment to Africa’s development, the United Kingdom has announced it will host the 17th replenishment pledging session of the African Development Fund (ADF) in December 2025. This high-level event will convene donor nations to determine financial contributions for the Fund’s 2026–2028 cycle.

The announcement was made by Baroness Jenny Chapman, the UK’s Minister of State for Development and Africa, during her meeting with African Development Bank Group President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Baroness Chapman emphasized the UK’s intention to make a strong financial pledge and encouraged other development partners to contribute ambitiously. She described the replenishment as a vital opportunity to demonstrate collective commitment to Africa’s growth, its institutions, and to innovative approaches in development finance amid global economic challenges.

The UK’s decision to host the session reflects its strategic engagement and longstanding support for the ADF, even as it navigates a tighter aid budget.

The African Development Fund serves as the concessional financing arm of the African Development Bank, targeting 37 of Africa’s low-income countries. Since its inception in 1972, the Fund has disbursed over $45 billion in grants, low-interest loans, and guarantees, helping nations expand opportunities and build resilience.

The upcoming replenishment session is expected to be a rallying point for increased investment in Africa’s development and shared global prosperity.

Dr. Sidi Ould Tah welcomed the UK’s hosting role, calling it a rallying call for a robust ADF-17 replenishment. He highlighted the importance of the Fund’s evolving financial instruments, particularly the Market Borrowing Option, which will allow the ADF to leverage its equity to access capital markets for the first time, thereby expanding its resource base. This innovation is seen as a transformative step in enhancing the Fund’s capacity to support Africa’s development needs.

In a further show of commitment, several African countries have also pledged contributions to the Fund, signaling a growing trend of self-investment in the continent’s future. Baroness Chapman also endorsed President Ould Tah’s proposal for the UK to host a Private Sector Day, aimed at engaging private companies and Development Finance Institutions in exploring investment opportunities across Africa. This initiative aligns with the Fund’s objective of increasing private sector participation in ADF countries.

The pledging session in London is poised to be a landmark event, reinforcing the UK’s leadership in global development and its enduring partnership with Africa. It will not only mobilize critical resources but also catalyze innovative financing and collaborative strategies to address the continent’s pressing challenges.