African Development Bank President Sidi Ould Tah welcomed United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Diene Keita to the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan on her first official visit since her appointment in August. During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen collaboration and advance investments in youth and women across Africa, focusing on critical socio-development issues such as Africa’s youth bulge, family health, education, and employment.
President Ould Tah highlighted the long-standing partnership between the African Development Bank and UNFPA, which began in 1988 and was formalized in 1992 through a Memorandum of Understanding. He emphasized that deepening partnerships and accelerating real solutions are among his top priorities in his first 100 days in office. He commended the existing cooperation and expressed enthusiasm for further collaboration under Ms. Keita’s leadership.
Notable examples of joint initiatives include the “2 Hours for Life” program in Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire, which uses drones to deliver emergency obstetric care to remote areas. President Ould Tah stressed the opportunity to elevate the partnership, making both institutions central to broader collaborations addressing youth, women, maternal, and child health issues across the continent.
Ms. Keita emphasized the importance of multilateral partnerships to address global challenges, including youth development, health financing, women’s empowerment, climate resilience, and peace and security. She highlighted the need to mobilize international resources to meet shared goals and stressed that cooperation with the Bank and other agencies is essential to tackle population and maternal health issues effectively.
President Ould Tah announced that a joint African Development Bank and UNFPA team would develop a new partnership framework, including pilot projects likely starting in Côte d’Ivoire. He reiterated his belief in the critical role of partnerships to deliver comprehensive solutions, mobilize additional stakeholders, and ensure that interventions are effective, inclusive, and sustainable.
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