The international development landscape has evolved. We have more partners than ever supporting the African continent to take its rightful place within the wider global economic system. Given that the level of investment required to address persistent challenges and realize Africa’s potential is significant, any single source or stakeholder cannot meet Africa’s financing needs. This notwithstanding, the African Development Fund is uniquely positioned to deliver on its mandate of supporting Africa’s low-income countries and serve as the lead partner for engagement with the continent.

Regional Focus. ADF’s entire focus is on Africa, and only Africa. The ADF is willing to engage in countries and regions where others may not be willing to venture, particularly in transition states. ADF innovates and identifies ways to strengthen its outreach to the last mile, the most vulnerable, and the least reachable. The AfDB Group was one of the first multilateral development banks to have a dedicated resource team focused on fragility within its corporate structure – the Transition States Coordination Office. This is an innovation now being replicated in sister organizations.

Uninterrupted Presence on Ground. The ADF has its ears to the ground. The Fund prides itself on being face to face with its beneficiaries. ADF operates from Africa, with over 750 staff deployed in 25 ADF country offices, of which 16 are in transition states. The ADF goes beyond transactions and operations. It engages communities and changes lives for the better. It is Africa’s institution. In this way, ADF ensures not only successful delivery of projects and programs but local ownership and trust equity for longer-term gains and knowledge transfer.

Enduring trust equity. We have a rapport with our regional member countries and our local presence allows us to respond quickly and flexibly to our client needs. It is for this reason that critical regional bodies like the African Union (AU) turn to the ADF, recognizing it as the lead coordinator for mobilizing resources for African countries to fulfill Agenda 2063. The role of the ADF was strongly reaffirmed by African Heads of State during the February 2019 AU Summit. In fact, a High-Level Consultative Meeting between the ADF and the AU reaffirmed the role of the Joint Secretariat Support Office (JSSO), comprising the AU Commission, UNECA and the ADF, as a platform for coordination that is more effective, collaborative and synergic in furtherance of continental priorities. The meeting concluded with the commitment to work closely together in 2019 for a successful 15th Replenishment of the African Development Fund, which is critical for financing Agenda 2063 flagship projects and other continental frameworks.

Regional focus allows ADF to know this continent intimately. ADF’s permanent residency on the continent gives it an innately strong brand and legitimacy with stakeholders. The trust equity ADF has built over the years with its clients and beneficiaries means they continue to expect ADF’s longstanding and pivotal support. That is our unique comparative advantage.