By Ayomide Otitoju
The NEPAD-Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF), a multi-donor special fund hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), has held its 40th Oversight Committee Meeting, reaffirming its commitment to advancing regional infrastructure transformation across Africa.
The virtual meeting, convened on 27 October 2025, brought together donor representatives, partner institutions, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and implementing agencies. The session coincided with NEPAD-IPPF’s 20th anniversary, marking two decades of partnership, innovation, and impact in strengthening Africa’s connectivity and integration.
During the meeting, the committee reviewed and approved the 2024 Annual Report, the 2025 Mid-Year Report, and updates on Technical Assistance Fund Activities. It also endorsed the 2026 Work Programme and Technical Assistance Fund, with a budget envelope of USD 16 million dedicated to accelerating the preparation of regional infrastructure projects under PIDA-PAP 2 (Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa Priority Action Plan) and deepening collaboration with key stakeholders.
Since its inception, NEPAD-IPPF has supported 113 regional projects spanning the energy, transport, ICT, and water sectors, committing over $124 million in project preparation funding and mobilizing more than $13 billion in downstream investments.
Mike Salawou, Director of the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department at AfDB, lauded the milestone as a testament to enduring collaboration and shared ambition.
“At the heart of NEPAD-IPPF’s operations are our valued partners — the Regional Economic Communities, Power Pools, Corridor Authorities, and Regional Specialized Agencies,” Salawou stated.
He emphasized that the facility’s evolving role in accelerating corridor development and bankable project pipelines aligns closely with the G20 Regional Project Preparation Toolkit and PIDA PAP 2, reinforcing the African Union’s vision for integrated, sustainable growth.
Ambassador Ben Marc Diendéré, Canada’s Permanent Observer to the African Union and Special Envoy for Africa, reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to the Facility, noting that its engagement aligns with Canada’s broader priorities for Africa.
“Canada’s continued support for NEPAD-IPPF reflects our commitment to inclusive economic growth, regional integration, and sustainable development,” Diendéré said.
Birgit Pickel, Director-General for Africa at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), commended NEPAD-IPPF for its impressive record, highlighting that the Fund has prepared over 60 infrastructure projects, with half already at financial closure and progressing toward construction or completion.
“These efforts have catalyzed over USD 13 billion in investment commitments, demonstrating NEPAD-IPPF’s strong ability to turn technical studies into bankable, high-impact projects,” Pickel noted.
Representatives from Spain and the United Kingdom also lauded the Facility’s achievements, acknowledging its role in promoting Africa’s infrastructure agenda through sound governance, effective partnerships, and tangible results.
As NEPAD-IPPF celebrates two decades of advancing regional integration, the meeting reaffirmed the Facility’s position as a cornerstone of Africa’s infrastructure development — driving the preparation of transformative projects that connect markets, foster trade, and power inclusive growth.
