The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ghana have jointly hosted the 17th Replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF-17) Pledging Conference in London, calling on global development partners to mobilize resources for Africa’s most vulnerable economies.
Held at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development headquarters, the high-level conference highlighted Ghana and the UK’s shared commitment to sustainable development, inclusive growth, and economic resilience across the continent. Ghana’s role as co-host signals renewed international confidence in the country’s economic turnaround and reform efforts.
Senior global financial leaders attended the event, including Ludovic Ngatsé, Chairperson of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank, and the Presidents of the Islamic Development Bank Group, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, and the OPEC Fund for International Development.
Speaking at the conference, Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Finance, Hon. Thomas Nyarko Ampem MP, emphasized the country’s dedication to Africa’s development agenda:
“Ghana is proud to have co-hosted this important conference and to champion Africa’s voice in shaping development priorities. Earlier this year, Ghana joined four other countries in pledging US$16 million to the ADF—the first time all five countries in our constituency contributed. This demonstrates our commitment to reforms and partnerships that deliver tangible results for our people.”
UK Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman, expressed the UK’s pleasure in co-hosting the event alongside Ghana, underscoring the long-standing partnership with the African Development Bank and the shared goal of sustainable, inclusive growth. She noted that the UK’s evolving role in Africa—shifting from donor to investor—supports countries pursuing reforms to grow their economies and reduce dependence on aid.
In May 2025, Ghana pledged US$5 million to the African Development Fund alongside The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, marking a historic increase in African participation. The countries’ commitments reflect fiscal and governance reforms aligned with the Bank’s emphasis on performance and co-financing.
ADF-supported projects in Ghana have targeted women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and expanded access to energy through mini-grid solutions, reinforcing inclusive growth and energy security.
The ADF-17 replenishment is expected to deepen African ownership of the continent’s development agenda. Ghana’s co-hosting also aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda, positioning Accra as a hub for global development dialogue and advocating for fairer, country-led development models and global financial reforms.
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