The African Development Bank recently held a workshop in Abuja to review the performance of its portfolio in Nigeria as part of the 2025 Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR). Nearly 200 participants attended, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Bank, and implementing agencies overseeing Bank-supported public sector projects across the country.
Both the African Development Bank and the Nigerian government reaffirmed their shared goal of accelerating the delivery of Bank-financed operations. Nigeria currently holds the Bank’s largest country portfolio, valued at $5.1 billion and spread across 52 public and private sector operations.
The CPPR serves as a strategic mechanism to assess implementation progress, identify challenges, and align ongoing projects with Nigeria’s development goals. At the opening of the workshop, Dr. Abdul Kamara, the Bank’s Director General in Nigeria, stressed the importance of ensuring that every investment leads to tangible development results. He highlighted the need to address delays and ensure accountability in project delivery.
Stanley George, Director of the International Economic Relations Department at the Federal Ministry of Finance, welcomed the Bank’s active role and emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility and timely implementation. He reminded participants that these are loans—funded by taxpayers—and underscored the need for efficient and impactful execution.
The technical sessions covered critical aspects of project implementation, such as procurement processes, financial management, disbursements, and environmental and social safeguards. Discussions also focused on the need for stronger community engagement, effective grievance redress systems, and comprehensive compensation mechanisms. These sessions facilitated a practical exchange of ideas and encouraged collaboration among project teams.
Participants evaluated key issues affecting project quality, including delays at project start-up and oversight inefficiencies. Several project teams shared their experiences, highlighting both successes and challenges. The sessions helped clarify expectations, particularly around procurement and disbursement procedures, as noted by Samuel Ogundare of the Ekiti State Knowledge Economy Project.
At the conclusion of the workshop, a new 2025 Country Portfolio Improvement Plan was adopted. The plan includes specific actions and timelines to address bottlenecks and improve project outcomes across the portfolio.
The African Development Bank concluded by reaffirming its long-term commitment to supporting Nigeria through ongoing policy dialogue, capacity building, and technical assistance, ensuring continued progress toward the country’s development objectives.
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