By 
The Arab Coordination Group (ACG) and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) have launched a new strategic partnership to scale co-financing, mobilize private capital, and accelerate economic transformation across Africa.
The agreement was formalized during a High-Level Consultation Meeting at the AfDB’s headquarters in Abidjan.
Shifting from Fragmented Cooperation to Programmatic Investment
The meeting established a unified platform to move from fragmented cooperation toward large-scale, programmatic co-investment aligned with Africa’s development priorities.
This initiative comes at a critical time as Africa faces a widening financing gap for energy access, climate resilience, food security, and private-sector-led growth.
Anchoring Arab-African Co-Financing for Impact
Discussions focused on leveraging the collective balance sheets, expertise, and long-term financing capacities of both institutions.
The goal is to mobilize coordinated public and private investment, enhance joint project preparation, and support country-led development agendas that deliver measurable impact and long-term resilience.
This effort aligns with the AfDB’s push for a New African Financial Architecture (NAFA) to strengthen the continent’s financial sovereignty.
Joint Declaration Outlines Actionable Framework
The consultation culminated in a Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership, which establishes clear priority areas and principles for institutional follow-up.
A key next step is the development of a Financing and Operational Partnership Framework in 2026, which will define co-financing modalities, pipeline coordination, and mutual reliance.
The declaration also recognizes the central role of the African Development Fund (ADF) and calls for enhanced collaboration between ACG institutions and the ADF to support low-income and fragile states.
