Energy and manufacturing: crucial issues on the agenda of the African Development Bank's annual meetings

Written by: Mohammed Omran

At a time of increasing economic pressures and development challenges within the continent, African leaders delivered strong messages during the annual meetings ofAfrican Development Bank 2026, stressing that Africa’s future will not be achieved without massive investments in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and climate finance.

African calls to strengthen international partnerships

The meetings hosted by Brazzaville, Congo, witnessed growing calls to mobilize private capital and strengthen international partnerships in order to drive economic growth and transform the continent’s vast resources into development projects capable of creating a more stable and prosperous future.

African leaders called for increased investment in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and climate finance to accelerate the continent's development and economic transformation.

During the Presidential Dialogue at the 2026 African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Congo, leaders stressed the need for Africa to mobilize more private capital and strengthen partnerships to finance large-scale development projects.

The high-level panel discussion included the presidents of Garbon, Brice Ngoima, the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, and the host, President of the Republic of Congo Denis Nguesso and President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah.

The President of the Republic of Gabon said that his country is working to transform its natural resources and biodiversity assets into long-term economic growth through ecotourism and carbon credit initiatives.

Ngwema said: “We want to develop our forests while preserving nature.”.

The Gabonese president also called for increased international compensation for Congo Basin countries that maintain global forest ecosystems.

Congolese President Nguesso stressed the importance of economic diversification beyond oil and gas, highlighting Congo's plans to expand fertilizer production using its reserves of potash, phosphate and natural gas.

He pointed to the importance of power generation for industrial growth in Africa, noting the potential of hydroelectric power in the Congo River basin, saying: “Development cannot be achieved without power.”.

In response to concerns about the funding gap in Africa, the president of the African Development Bank said the continent has an estimated $4 trillion in African financial resources that can be used for development.

He said: “Our role at the bank is to work with states and financial institutions to design bankable projects and mobilize the necessary funding.”.

Local media reports on Friday stated that African leaders also emphasized the importance of investing in Africa's youth through education, engineering, and technical training to drive long-term economic transformation.