A high-level delegation from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) visited the Republic of Congo from 26 to 28 October 2025 to strengthen bilateral cooperation and advance preparations for the Bank’s Annual Meetings scheduled in Brazzaville in May 2026. Led by Senior Vice President Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, the delegation met with President Denis Sassou Nguesso and senior government officials to discuss strategic development priorities, including economic diversification, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and regional integration, all key pillars of Congo’s 2022–2026 National Development Plan.
During the mission, the delegation held productive talks with several government ministers, including Jean Jacques Bouya, Minister of Land Use Planning and Public Works, and Ludovic Ngatsé, Minister of Planning, Statistics and Regional Integration. These meetings focused on assessing the progress of ongoing projects and reviewing preparations for the upcoming 2026 Annual Meetings. The AfDB team also visited the national data centre project in Brazzaville, which is being financed by the Bank to strengthen Congo’s digital infrastructure.
Minister Ludovic Ngatsé, who also serves as the Bank’s Governor for the Republic of Congo, highlighted the visit as a milestone in the longstanding partnership between Congo and AfDB. He emphasized that the Bank’s continued support aligns with the country’s vision of economic diversification, agricultural transformation, and regional integration, which are crucial to national development.
Ms. Akin-Olugbade reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Congo’s transformation agenda, praising the strong collaboration between both parties. She noted that discussions centered on major infrastructure and energy projects, as well as regional initiatives designed to strengthen economic integration and facilitate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Central Africa.
Preparations for the 2026 Annual Meetings are being overseen by a National Preparatory Committee chaired by Minister Bouya. Ms. Akin-Olugbade commended Congo’s commitment, noting the signing of a memorandum of understanding earlier in September 2025 as a key step toward ensuring the event’s success. The meetings are expected to showcase Congo’s economic potential, reforms, and infrastructure progress.
With an active portfolio of $223 million, entirely dedicated to sovereign operations, the AfDB remains a trusted development partner for the Republic of Congo. Its ongoing interventions include regional infrastructure projects such as the Ndendé-Dolisie and Ketta-Djoum roads, and fiber optic connectivity linking Congo with Cameroon and the Central African Republic. The Bank is also prioritizing agricultural diversification and food security through the Integrated Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (PRODIVAC) and the expansion of protected agricultural zones (ZAP), aimed at improving productivity, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable growth for women and youth.
