Briefing Highlights: How ADF Is Financing Africa’s Future in Shifting Global Landscape

The African Development Fund, the African Development Bank Group’s concessional financing arm, was the focus of a special edition of the African Transformation Briefing co-hosted by the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET) and the Global Strategic Communications Council.

Moderated by ACET Communications Manager Belinda Ayamgha, the session was held virtually on 29 July 2025. The media-focused event convened development partners, journalists, and policymakers for an in-depth conversation on the Fund’s role in financing economic transformation across 37 low-income African countries, nearly half of which are classified as fragile states.

Valerie Dabady, Manager of Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships at the African Development Bank, delivered a keynote presentation outlining the Fund’s catalytic impact, financing structure, and evolving strategic direction.

She underscored the Fund’s ability to channel investments in areas such as climate resilience and regional integration through concessional resources tailored to country-specific needs. She highlighted plans to expand its resource base.

“With 37 member countries and over $45 billion in investments since inception, the African Development Fund is a cornerstone of Africa’s development financing architecture,” Dabady said. “As we look toward the future, innovations like market borrowing and expanded donor engagement will be critical to increasing our impact.”

The briefing also featured a country perspective from Joseph Chanda, Assistant Director for Economic Management and Planning in Zambia’s Ministry of Finance.

Chanda highlighted how Zambia is leveraging African Development Fund resources to accelerate infrastructure development, build climate resilience, and deepen regional integration.

“ADF financing has played a transformative role in Zambia,” he noted. “By allocating just 10% of our national resources to the Lobito Corridor, we were able to leverage over $330 million in regional window co-financing. These are the types of investments that build real economies and regional prosperity.”

The Lobito Corridor, a strategic rail and road project connecting Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia, is among the largest regional integration initiatives currently under preparation with support from the African Development Fund.

With a $500 million commitment, the Fund is helping to finance and de-risk the project, which is expected to catalyse investment in logistics, agriculture, and mining, particularly in critical minerals vital to the global energy transition.

Chanda also referenced the Kazungula Bridge Project, a regional integration initiative co-financed by the Fund with an investment of $68 million. Completed in 2021, the 923-meter-long bridge spans the Zambezi River, connecting Zambia and Botswana and replacing a long-standing ferry service.

The project also includes One-Stop Border Posts on both sides of the bridge, significantly streamlining customs procedures and reducing transit times along the North–South Corridor. It supports intra-African trade, enhances regional logistics efficiency, and has become a key node for trade between Southern and Central Africa.

Participants raised questions on donor engagement, capital market access, and the future structure of the Fund. Dabady reaffirmed the Bank’s ongoing efforts to attract non-traditional partners and finalise approvals that would enable the Fund to access capital markets.

“The ADF has long flown under the radar,” she said. “But this is a pivotal moment to raise its profile, demonstrate impact, and unlock greater investment for Africa’s most pressing priorities.”

The session concluded with a call to action from Kerezhi Sebany, Africa Director for Economic Opportunities at the ONE Campaign.

“We must shine a light on the African Development Fund,” she said. “When people know what the Fund is and what it delivers, it fosters transparency, trust, and partnership. Now is the time to tell the ADF story and tell it boldly.”

The African Development Fund is currently undergoing its 17th replenishment cycle (ADF-17). The next consultative meeting with development partner representatives will be held virtually on 18-19 September 2025.

This will be followed by a meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, in October, where Zambian government representatives will share results and country-level experiences.

The final pledging session for ADF-17 is scheduled for December 2025.