Ghana leads African voice at ADF-17 pledging event in London

Ghana and the United Kingdom have co-hosted the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF) in London, which saw African governments, multilateral institutions, and international partners come together to mobilise funds for development across the continent.

The event, held at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development headquarters, marked a significant step in Ghana’s growing role in shaping Africa’s development agenda.

It also demonstrated the UK’s approach to partnering with African countries through investment-led strategies rather than traditional aid.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, said Ghana was proud to co-host the event and champion Africa’s voice.

“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,” he said.

Mr. Ampem added that Ghana had improved domestic revenue mobilisation through digital compliance tools and tax reforms. Investments from the ADF have supported women-led small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and mini-grid energy solutions, helping to expand access to electricity while promoting inclusive growth.

UK Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman, said the UK was proud to co-host the conference alongside Ghana.

“We have a long-standing partnership with the African Development Bank and support it in driving sustainable and inclusive growth on the continent – for the benefit of the UK and our African partners,” she said.

She also highlighted the first Private Sector Mobilisation Day, held in London as part of the conference, noting the role of the City of London in mobilising investment for Africa.

“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,” Ms. Chapman said.

The conference attracted senior leaders from major African and international development institutions, including the Chairperson of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank, the Presidents of the Islamic Development Bank Group, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, and the OPEC Fund for International Development, as well as representatives from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

In May 2025, Ghana pledged US$5 million to the ADF alongside The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, a historic moment in which all five countries in the constituency participated.

These countries have implemented fiscal and governance reforms aligned with the Bank’s performance-based financing model.

The ADF-17 replenishment is expected to see increased contributions from African countries, reflecting growing ownership of the continent’s development agenda.

Ghana’s role as co-host also aligns with President John Mahama’s broader Reset Agenda, which seeks to position Accra as a hub for development dialogue and reforms while advocating for fairer global financial systems and country-led development.

Together, Ghana and the UK reaffirmed their shared commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth in Africa and urged partners to maintain momentum in fulfilling their pledges.

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