The African Development Bank Group President, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, and Luxembourg’s Finance Minister, Gilles Roth, have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation as preparations continue for the seventeenth replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF-17), the Bank’s concessional financing arm. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the 2025 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., marking their first official bilateral meeting since Dr. Ould Tah assumed office in September.
During their discussions, both parties emphasized the importance of their long-standing partnership and mutual dedication to advancing Africa’s sustainable economic transformation through multilateral collaboration. Luxembourg reiterated its strong support for inclusive growth across Africa’s most vulnerable economies, highlighting shared priorities in sustainability, resilience, and equitable development.
Luxembourg remains among the world’s leading providers of official development assistance, consistently allocating 1% of its gross national income to global development — surpassing the UN and OECD’s 0.7% target. Under the ADF-16 cycle, Luxembourg contributed €12.7 million, marking a 10% increase from the previous round. This contribution underscores the country’s confidence in the Fund’s effectiveness, particularly in areas such as climate action, governance, gender equality, and private sector growth.
Minister Roth underscored Africa’s significant development needs in sectors including education, energy, technology, infrastructure, and climate action. He emphasized Luxembourg’s role as a hub for sustainable finance and impact investing, noting its capacity to mobilize private capital toward Africa’s priorities. Roth reaffirmed Luxembourg’s commitment to working with the African Development Bank to strengthen the continent’s investment climate and foster a more resilient and equitable future.
Dr. Ould Tah expressed deep appreciation for Luxembourg’s consistent partnership, recognizing its leadership in sustainable finance and commitment to multilateralism as critical drivers of progress across Africa. He noted that Luxembourg’s support will play a vital role in the upcoming ADF-17 pledging session, helping to mobilize resources that promote inclusion, resilience, and shared prosperity.
Beyond concessional financing, Luxembourg’s collaboration with the African Development Bank extends to other key initiatives, including its contributions to the Capital Markets Development Trust Fund — where it was a founding donor — and the Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility. Both initiatives aim to enhance financial innovation, expand market access, and strengthen Africa’s private investment ecosystem.
Since its inception in 1972, the African Development Fund has financed nearly 3,000 projects worth over $45 billion, improving access to clean energy, food, education, and healthcare in 37 African countries, nearly half of which face fragility or conflict. The upcoming ADF-17 cycle seeks to mobilize further resources for transformative projects that create jobs, bolster resilience, and unlock Africa’s economic potential, thereby fostering global stability and shared prosperity.
