The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Republic of Congo have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the hosting and organization of the Bank’s 2026 Annual Meetings, set to take place from 25–29 May 2026 in Brazzaville.
The signing ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso and senior members of the Congolese government, marked a significant milestone in preparations for what is expected to be one of the most important gatherings on Africa’s economic calendar.
Representing the Republic of Congo, Ludovic Ngatsé, Minister of the Economy, Planning, Statistics, and Regional Integration—and AfDB Governor for the country—signed the agreement. On behalf of the Bank Group, Vincent O. Nmehielle, Secretary General, appended his signature.
The 2026 Annual Meetings will be historic: they will be the 61st Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank and the 51st Annual Meeting of the African Development Fund, the concessional window for low-income African countries. The event will also mark the first meetings to be held under the chairmanship of Mr. Sidi Ould Tah, who was elected as the new head of the Bank Group on 29 May 2025.
A Bank delegation has been in Brazzaville since 11 September 2025 to align with Congolese authorities on logistics, security, hospitality, transportation, ICT, accommodation, and statutory sessions.
Minister Ngatsé described the preparatory mission as “useful and fruitful,” noting that it allowed both sides to exchange views and set up dedicated institutional structures to deliver a successful event.
Nmehielle reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment:
“By signing this memorandum of understanding, the Government of the Republic of Congo commits to providing the goods and services necessary for the effective organization and smooth running of the Annual Meetings, in accordance with the Bank’s procurement rules and procedures. The Bank will also strive to ensure that quality standards of the Annual Meetings are maintained at all times, through ongoing dialogue with the host country.”
The two parties also finalized a discussion document outlining the tasks to be carried out by the Congolese authorities in the lead-up to May 2026.
AfDB Annual Meetings serve as a statutory platform where the Bank’s Board of Governors and management review performance, discuss Africa’s development priorities, and adopt key resolutions. Each year, the event attracts over 3,000 participants, including government leaders, development partners, philanthropists, private sector executives, civil society actors, researchers, and media representatives.
For Congo, the event also holds historic significance. The country last hosted the Annual Meetings in 1984, making the 2026 gathering a symbolic return after more than four decades.
The African Development Bank has been a strategic partner to the Republic of Congo since 1972, with cumulative project approvals reaching $1.27 billion. As of 30 June 2025, the Bank’s active portfolio in the country comprised nine sovereign operations with a total commitment of approximately $223.3 million, spread across transport, agriculture, finance, energy, and water and sanitation.
The Republic of Congo’s hosting of the 2026 Annual Meetings is a commitment to fostering African unity, dialogue, and collaboration on key development priorities. The event will position Brazzaville as a hub for continental decision-making as Africa accelerates efforts toward inclusive and sustainable growth.
