The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Republic of Congo have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in economic diversification, infrastructure, energy, and regional integration, ahead of the Bank’s 2026 Annual Meetings to be held in Brazzaville.
A high-level AfDB delegation, led by Senior Vice President Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, visited Congo from October 26 to 28, 2025, to discuss strategic development priorities and review progress on key joint projects. The delegation met with President Denis Sassou Nguesso and senior government officials, emphasizing the strong partnership between the Bank and the Congolese government.
Talks centered on implementing Congo’s 2022–2026 National Development Plan, which focuses on economic transformation through diversification, energy expansion, and regional trade integration. The discussions also reviewed preparations for the AfDB Annual Meetings scheduled for May 2026 in Brazzaville.
During the visit, the delegation held meetings with Jean Jacques Bouya, Minister of State for Land Use Planning and Public Works, and Ludovic Ngatsé, Minister of Planning, Statistics, and Regional Integration. The team also toured the national data centre project in Brazzaville, financed by the AfDB, accompanied by Minister Ngatsé and Léon Juste Ibombo, Minister of Post, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy.
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Minister Ngatsé, who serves as the AfDB Governor for the Republic of Congo, described the visit as “a new stage in the exemplary partnership between the Republic of Congo and the African Development Bank.”
“We welcome the Bank’s continued support for our vision of economic diversification, agricultural transformation, and regional integration, which are central to Congo’s future prosperity,” he said.
AfDB Senior Vice President Akin-Olugbade praised Congo’s progress and reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting transformative projects.
“Our discussions focused on flagship initiatives in transport, energy, and agriculture, as well as regional programs that will strengthen economic integration and support the African Continental Free Trade Area, starting in Central Africa,” she stated.
Preparations for the 2026 Annual Meetings are being coordinated by a National Preparatory Committee led by Minister Bouya. A memorandum of understanding for hosting the meetings was signed in September 2025, a milestone that underscores Congo’s dedication to the event’s success.
The Annual Meetings are expected to spotlight Congo’s economic potential, infrastructure progress, and reform agenda, while positioning Brazzaville as a key destination for regional investment dialogue.
With an active portfolio of $223 million—focused on sovereign operations—the AfDB continues to support infrastructure and integration projects such as the Ndendé-Dolisie and Ketta-Djoum road corridors and the rollout of fibre-optic networks linking Congo with Cameroon and the Central African Republic.
The Bank is also advancing agricultural diversification through initiatives like the Integrated Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (PRODIVAC) and the expansion of Protected Agricultural Zones (ZAPs) to enhance food security, create jobs, and empower women and youth.
