The United Kingdom and Ghana yesterday co-hosted the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF-17) at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development headquarters in London, bringing together global partners to mobilise resources for Africa’s development.
Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, highlighted the country’s commitment to shaping Africa’s development agenda.
“Ghana is proud to have co-hosted this important conference and to champion Africa’s voice in shaping development priorities,” Nyarko Ampem said.
“Earlier this year, Ghana joined four other countries in pledging $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.”
The event gathered leaders from across Africa and global multilateral institutions, including the Chairperson of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank, Ludovic Ngatsé, the President of the Islamic Development Bank, and representatives from BADEA, the OPEC Fund, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
UK Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman, noted the importance of the City of London in mobilising investment for African economies.
“The UK is proud to co-host the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund alongside the Republic of Ghana. We are delighted that President Mahama decided to hold the first Private Sector Mobilisation Day here in London – recognising the vital role of the City of London in mobilising investment for Africa,” she said.
“The UK’s shifting role – from donor to investor – will support countries who want to grow their economies and ultimately exit the need for aid.”
In May 2025, Ghana pledged $5 million to the ADF alongside The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, marking a historic moment for African participation.
The pledges follow fiscal and governance reforms aligned with the Bank’s focus on performance and co-financing.
ADF investments in Ghana have supported women-led MSMEs and mini-grid projects, boosting inclusive growth and energy access.
Ghana’s co-hosting role reflects President Mahama’s broader Reset Agenda, which aims to position Accra as a hub for global development dialogue and promote country-led models and fairer global financial systems. The UK similarly emphasised a partnership of equals, highlighting trade, climate action, innovation, and African voices in global decision-making.
The ADF-17 replenishment signals growing African ownership of the continent’s development agenda, with contributions expected from multiple African countries in addition to traditional international partners. Both Ghana and the UK called on all stakeholders to sustain momentum in implementing the commitments made during the conference.
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