The African Development Bank Group and the government of Equatorial Guinea have jointly approved an action plan to enhance the implementation and performance of the Bank’s $167 million project portfolio in the country. This decision followed a comprehensive portfolio review workshop held in Malabo from 27 to 31 October 2025, which brought together representatives from various ministries, technical partners, and project management teams. The discussions focused on assessing the effectiveness of ongoing projects, identifying bottlenecks, and establishing a coordinated framework for improved project delivery and accountability.
During the workshop, participants agreed to introduce a unified project monitoring system, strengthen oversight mechanisms for contractual and financial compliance, and enhance coordination between national and Bank teams. The review assessed key initiatives such as the Public Finance Modernization Support Programme (PAMFP), the Support for the Development of Value Chains in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (PASPA), and the Feasibility Study Project for Strengthening the Digital Ecosystem (PARED).
The analysis identified several challenges affecting project implementation, including slow start-ups, delays in establishing management units, and prolonged approval processes for Bank clearances. Limited technical capacity and insufficient familiarity with the Bank’s procedures for procurement, disbursement, and financial management were also highlighted as major constraints. In response, the Bank announced plans to intensify capacity-building support through targeted training on fiduciary management and monitoring and evaluation. It also emphasized ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration with national partners to mobilize co-financing under the 2026 lending programme and future initiatives.
Representing the government, Ladislao Ndong Ndong Bisó, Director General of Economic and Financial Organizations, stressed that the exercise aimed to ensure alignment with Equatorial Guinea’s Agenda 2035, assess project progress, and refine strategies for future investments. He noted that the findings would help improve implementation efficiency and guide financing priorities going forward.
To complement the workshop, a fiduciary clinic was held to enhance project managers’ understanding of the new accounting framework and the Bank’s financial procedures. A significant outcome of the event was the signing of a €58.61 million loan agreement for the Project to Strengthen Human Capital in Support of Economic and Social Inclusion (PARCH), which aims to boost human development and social inclusion in the country.
The Bank’s delegation also visited the PASPA project site to review progress on aquaculture infrastructure construction, which is expected to be completed by early 2026. Since joining the African Development Bank Group in 1975, Equatorial Guinea has benefited from 53 operations totaling approximately $337.3 million. The country’s current active portfolio includes six projects valued at $167 million, distributed across key sectors such as social development (42.2%), agriculture (38.6%), governance (18.5%), and ICT and energy (0.7%). These projects continue to play a vital role in advancing Equatorial Guinea’s economic diversification and sustainable development goals.
