By Ayomide Otitoju
The African Development Fund (ADF) has reaffirmed its crucial role in advancing sustainable growth across Africa’s low-income countries, according to the 2025 ADF-16 Delivery and Results Report released during the third meeting on the ADF-17 Replenishment in Lusaka, Zambia, from October 7–9, 2025.
Titled “Driving Inclusive Growth: Strategic Investments for Impactful Results,” the report details how the Fund’s interventions in 2024 supported millions of Africans amid global economic turbulence, rising debt, and security challenges.
According to the report, ADF investments provided 2.9 million people with clean water, connected over 500,000 individuals to electricity—including more than 251,000 women—and improved healthcare access for 1.2 million people. The Fund also supported over 24,000 agribusinesses, 520,000 farmers with climate-smart technologies, and built or rehabilitated 614 km of roads, enhancing transport access for 3.5 million people.
In total, 115,564 direct jobs and 449,224 indirect jobs were created, while 1.3 million people gained access to ICT services.
The ADF report also highlights the Mission 300 initiative, a joint effort with the World Bank to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030, with commitments exceeding $55 billion from both institutions and development partners.
Climate action and resilience remain at the forefront of ADF operations, with the Climate Action Window (CAW) mobilizing $442 million and ensuring that 99% of new projects integrate climate resilience measures. The Fund also applies a “fragility lens” to address conflict and vulnerability across its programs.
Gender equality and youth empowerment continue to be central priorities, with 96% of new projects incorporating gender components and 290,000 youth jobs created in 2024 alone.
“The African Development Fund stands ready to meet Africa’s aspirations, leveraging strategic partnerships and innovation for speed, scale, and impact,” said Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group. “Together, with ambition and solidarity, let us engage Africa’s youth to forge a new chapter of growth, resilience, and shared prosperity.”
