What to anticipate at the AfDB annual meetings in Abidjan in 2025

“Making the Most of Africa’s Capital to Foster its Development” is the theme of the 2025 annual meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, which will take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from May 26 to 30.

Prior to the annual meetings, this report was provided on April 10 at a press conference that was conducted both online and in person at the bank’s Abidjan headquarters.

More than 3,000 people are anticipated to attend, including heads of state, finance ministers, governors of central banks, executives from the commercial sector, scholars, and civil society representatives from the bank’s 81 member nations.

The election of a new Bank President, scheduled for May 29, will be a major event highlight.

Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, who is finishing his second and last term in office, will be replaced by the elected candidate, who will hold office for a renewable five-year term.

Amadou Hott of Senegal, Samuel Munzele Maimbo of Zambia, Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania, Abbas Mahamat Tolli of Chad, and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala of South Africa are the five individuals who have been shortlisted for the role.

AfDB Group Secretary-General Vincent O. Nmehielle described the main goals of the yearly meetings. “These meetings are mainly a statutory event of the Bank Group,” he stated. They convene the institution’s top decision-making and oversight body, the Board of Governors.

The Governors will examine and formally endorse the yearly reports that the Bank and Fund Presidents submit, which will include financial performance and institutional activity.

The Governors’ Dialogue, a high-level forum for member state representatives to interact directly with the Bank’s top leadership, is a significant component of the annual meetings.

“Within the framework of the Bank Group’s 10-Year Strategy for 2024-2033, this platform enables governors to interact with the president and senior management on matters of strategic importance to the continent,” Nmehielle stated.

He also mentioned how young voices were incorporated into this year’s discussion. “Selected young people from across Africa will take part, offering valuable perspectives on how to capitalize on the continent’s largely unrealized demographic dividend.”

The focus of the discussions, according to Kevin Chika Urama, the bank’s top economist and vice president for economic governance and knowledge management, is on efficiently utilizing Africa’s current resources to propel development.

“That entails examining how to best utilize Africa’s natural capital, business capital, human capital, and financial resources.”

Knowledge events such a presidential debate with African leaders, the release of the 2025 African Economic Outlook Report, and topic talks will be part of the annual gatherings.

Africa’s capital mobilization, economic difficulties, and enhancing institutional capacity for sustainable development will be the main topics of these sessions.