The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is gearing up for its 2025 Annual Meetings, with a central focus on unlocking Africa’s capital to drive sustainable development. This year’s event, scheduled for May 26–30, will be held at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire in Côte d’Ivoire’s commercial capital, Abidjan.
The gathering is expected to bring together top-level government officials, business leaders, civil society, development partners, and heads of state for a series of high-level engagements. Among the most anticipated agenda items is the election of a new president for the Bank, as the current president, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, nears the end of his second and final term after a decade in office.
Prof. Vincent Nmehielle, AfDB Group’s Secretary General and Secretary to the Boards of Governors and Directors, confirmed the election and emphasized the significance of this year’s theme: “Making the Most of Africa’s Capital to Foster Its Development.”
Addressing journalists ahead of the meetings, Prof. Kevin Urama, the Bank’s Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance, said the discussions will center on how Africa can better harness its fiscal resources, human capital, and natural wealth to chart a more autonomous development path—especially in the face of challenges like rising debt, climate pressures, and growing economic uncertainties.
Urama noted that four major knowledge events, alongside a presidential dialogue, would help develop actionable strategies around the core theme. “We’re focusing on practical ways to tap into what the continent already has to accelerate transformation and development from within,” he stated.
In addition, the Bank will release its flagship 2025 African Economic Outlook during the meetings. The report is expected to provide insights into shifting global trends, debt sustainability, and the tools African nations need to strengthen institutional capacity and finance their development goals more effectively.
With growing pressure on African economies to find local solutions amid tightening global financial conditions, the 2025 Annual Meetings are shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the future direction of the AfDB—and the continent.
