African Development Bank Group and World Bank set course for transformative cooperation in Africa | African Development Bank Group

A productive working meeting in Abidjan on Tuesday between Senior Vice President of the African Development Bank Group Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala and a World Bank delegation led by Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde resulted in a mutual agreement to identify key areas for intervention and cooperation .

This collaboration strengthens efforts to tackle poverty and climate change, develop different sectors, including energy and agriculture, and tackle pandemics. Ms Bjerde was accompanied by the Institution’s Regional Vice-President for West and Central Africa, Ousmane Diagana, and other colleagues. The meeting, which took place at the Bank Group’s headquarters in Abidjan, built on earlier talks between World Bank President Ajay Banga and African Development Bank Group President Akinwumi Adesina.

Ms. Tshabalala, who was joined by Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, and several senior Bank Group managers, provided an update on the Bank Group’s top priorities for the continent, known like the High 5s. Ms Tshabalala pointed out the benefits of the meeting, which helped to strengthen the efforts already made to tackle poverty and climate change, build the capacity of young people to promote small and medium-sized businesses, promote energy, agriculture and and other sectors and address pandemics . Ms Tshabalala also highlighted the Bank Group’s partnerships with other institutions such as Afrexim Bank, West African Development Bank and others for better synergies on the ground.

“A few months ago we received the visit of the new president of the World Bank and since then we have noticed that the two presidents are in regular talks. Obviously I think the expectation is that they will come up with the concrete plans and objectives for collaboration and partnership because I think this is what our shareholders are looking for,” Ms. Tshabalala said.

“We want to articulate our joint efforts very strongly, especially with the World Bank, because I think the two of us have a unique position on the continent; we do most of the development work. You know our relationship is getting stronger and stronger,” she said.

Ms Bjerde praised the Bank Group’s commitment to promoting synergies between development initiatives in Africa. She discussed how projects in key focus areas, funded by the World Bank, could serve as a cornerstone for future partnerships. According to Ms Bjerde, these include tackling recent crises and prioritizing medium-term development goals such as poverty reduction, equitable growth and tackling climate change.

“Our past is huge, so during my visit I also wanted to make sure we spend some time together, and I look forward to seeing what we can do to eventually take real development to the next level. I think we are all called to become better and bigger,” said Ms Bjerde.

Ms Bjerde’s visit comes just a few months after the African Development Bank Group hosted then-candidate Ajay Banga, who took up his post in Washington in early May. During his stopover, Banga and President Adesina explored opportunities for cooperation.

Both leaders agreed to work together to achieve transformative outcomes in Africa. They also emphasized the role of the private sector in mobilizing capital resources.