Africa: African Development Bank Group and Agence Française De Développement Renew Partnership to Accelerate Joint Investments Across Africa

What the report says

The African Development Bank Group and Agence Française de Développement have renewed their partnership with a memorandum of understanding covering 2026-2031, according to AllAfrica’s repost of an African Development Bank release. The agreement was signed on 10 November on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum and builds on joint work since 2021, when the two institutions say they helped finance 17 projects in 14 African countries.

The new framework is meant to bring the two lenders into closer alignment from the earliest stages of project design through implementation. It emphasizes combining financing with project preparation, technical advice, policy dialogue, capacity building and stronger monitoring, with the goal of producing more investment-ready programs. Areas highlighted include energy transition infrastructure, transport, water and sanitation, regional connectivity, agriculture and industry.

The partners also said they want to deepen cooperation in private sector development, entrepreneurship, access to finance and job creation, especially for women and young people. Other focus areas include critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, digital infrastructure, data governance, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, biodiversity, health, education and governance.

The release said the deal also covers blended finance, guarantees and carbon finance to mobilize more public and private capital, including possible use of European financial instruments. The Bank and AFD described the renewal as part of a longer relationship that dates back to earlier formal agreements, and as a way to support broader development and infrastructure goals across Africa.