By Iddi Yire
Accra, May 23, GNA – The 2025 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group will take place from May 26 to 30 in Abidjan, CĂ´te d’Ivoire, with the election of the institution’s new president as the key highlight.
The African Development Bank Group in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency said the governors of the African Development Bank would elect a successor to the current Group President, Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina, whose second five-year term was ending.
It said more than 6,000 delegates, including African heads of state and government, finance ministers, central bank governors, development partners, private sector representatives, civil society leaders, academics, think tanks and opinion leaders, NGOs, and other stakeholders, are expected to take part in the event.
It noted that the Meetings would be held at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire in Abidjan on the theme: “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development.”
“This strategic theme focuses on identifying and harnessing Africa’s diverse capital resources – human, natural, financial, and commercial – to drive the continent’s structural transformation,” the statement said.
“The aim is to promote the transition to more inclusive, green, and resilient economies, while mobilizing complementary external financing through diversified partnerships.”
The statement said the Meetings would also feature discussions addressing cross-cutting factors such as digital transformation, institutional strengthening, and good governance.
It said this integrated approach aligns with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the Bank Group’s High 5s.
The statement said the Annual Meetings are the institution’s most important event. This year’s edition includes the 60th Meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank and the 51st Meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Fund, the institution’s concessional window.
It said the Annual Meetings enable the Bank Group – consisting of the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the Nigeria Special Fund – to take stock, together with shareholders, of progress made over the past year.
It said they provide a unique forum for exchange by government representatives and other participants, including the media on key issues concerning Africa’s development.
The statement said in addition to the statutory meetings of the governors of the Bank and the Fund, the 2025 Meetings would feature knowledge events organized by the Bank and the host country, Côte d’Ivoire.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade