Republic of Congo to Host 2026 AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville

The MoU was signed in the Congolese capital in the presence of Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso and other senior government officials.

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Republic of Congo have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the hosting and organization of the Bank’s 2026 Annual Meetings, set to take place in Brazzaville from 25–29 May 2026. The agreement represents a key milestone in preparations for the high-level gathering, which is expected to attract thousands of participants from across Africa and beyond.

Signing Ceremony in Brazzaville

The MoU was signed in the Congolese capital in the presence of Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso and other senior government officials. On behalf of the Republic of Congo, the document was signed by Ludovic Ngatsé, Minister of the Economy, Planning, Statistics, and Regional Integration, who also serves as the country’s AfDB Governor. Vincent O. Nmehielle, Secretary General of the Bank Group, signed for the institution.

The 2026 Annual Meetings will mark the 61st gathering of the AfDB and the 51st of the African Development Fund (ADF), the Bank’s concessional financing arm dedicated to supporting low-income countries on the continent.

First Under New Leadership

The Brazzaville meetings will also be the first to be held under the chairmanship of Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, who was elected President of the African Development Bank Group on 29 May 2025. His leadership is expected to bring renewed focus on economic transformation, sustainable infrastructure, and private sector growth across Africa.

Preparing for a Major Event

The MoU outlines the roles and responsibilities of both the Bank and the host country across critical areas such as logistics, security, hospitality, accommodation, language services, ICT systems, transport, and the organization of statutory meetings.

Minister Ngatsé described the mission as both “useful and fruitful”, noting that it allowed the parties to exchange views on organizational frameworks, establish institutional structures, and gain a clearer understanding of their respective commitments.

Nmehielle underscored the Bank’s commitment to maintaining high standards: “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. The Bank will also strive to ensure that quality standards are maintained through ongoing dialogue with the host country.”

The Bank delegation and Congolese authorities also formalized the first discussion document of the preparatory mission, setting out a roadmap for national preparations to ensure the event is delivered smoothly and to international standards.

Importance of the Annual Meetings

The AfDB’s Annual Meetings are a statutory event bringing together the Board of Governors, representing the Bank’s 81 member countries, to review progress, set new strategic directions, and adopt resolutions to accelerate Africa’s development agenda.

Each year, the event draws more than 3,000 participants, including heads of government, ministers of finance and planning, central bank governors, development partners, private sector leaders, civil society organizations, researchers, media, and AfDB staff. Beyond statutory sessions, the Meetings feature knowledge forums, investment dialogues, and policy debates on Africa’s economic transformation.

Congo’s History with the AfDB

This will be the second time the Republic of Congo hosts the Annual Meetings, having last welcomed the gathering in 1984. The choice of Brazzaville highlights the country’s longstanding relationship with the AfDB, which dates back to 1972.

Over the decades, the Bank has approved projects and programmes in Congo with a cumulative value of $1.27 billion. As of 30 June 2025, the AfDB’s active portfolio in the country consisted of nine sovereign operations worth approximately $223.3 million, spanning transport, agriculture, finance, energy, and water and sanitation sectors.

Looking Ahead

With preparations now formally underway, the 2026 Annual Meetings in Brazzaville are expected to serve as a platform for shaping Africa’s development priorities at a time of mounting global challenges — from climate change and food security to energy access and digital transformation.

By hosting the event, the Republic of Congo will not only showcase its commitment to regional cooperation but also highlight investment opportunities within its borders and across Central Africa.