- AfDB and Luxembourg reaffirmed their partnership ahead of the ADF-17 replenishment to boost sustainable and inclusive growth in Africa.
- Both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation in climate action, governance, and private sector development.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Luxembourg have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation ahead of the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF), the Bank’s concessional financing window.
AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah and Luxembourg’s Finance Minister Gilles Roth met in Washington, D.C., on the sidelines of the 2025 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings, the Bank said in a statement on Monday. It was their first official bilateral engagement since Ould Tah assumed office in September.
The meeting focused on advancing shared priorities such as sustainable and inclusive growth across Africa’s most vulnerable economies. Luxembourg, one of the world’s top contributors of official development assistance, allocates one per cent of its gross national income to development cooperation, well above the UN and OECD benchmark of 0.7 per cent.
Under the ADF’s 16th replenishment, Luxembourg increased its contribution by 10 per cent to €12.7 million, supporting programmes in climate action, governance, gender equality, and private-sector development.
Roth said Luxembourg recognised Africa’s pressing needs in education, energy, technology, infrastructure, and climate resilience. He reaffirmed his country’s readiness to mobilise private capital and leverage its expertise in sustainable finance to strengthen Africa’s investment environment.
Ould Tah described Luxembourg as a “steadfast partner,” praising its leadership in sustainable finance and multilateral cooperation. He said Luxembourg’s continued support would be essential as the ADF-17 pledging session approaches in December, enabling the Bank to mobilise resources for resilience, inclusion, and shared prosperity.
Luxembourg’s engagement with the AfDB extends beyond concessional funding. It was a founding donor to the Capital Markets Development Trust Fund and also supports the Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility, both of which aim to drive financial innovation and expand market access across the continent.
Since its inception in 1972, the African Development Fund has financed nearly 3,000 projects worth over $45 billion, enhancing access to clean energy, food, education, healthcare, and essential infrastructure in 37 African countries, many of which are fragile or conflict-affected.
ADF-17 aims to mobilise new resources for transformative projects that generate jobs, enhance resilience, and unlock Africa’s economic potential, thereby contributing to global stability.