African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr Akinwumi Adesina has underscored the institution’s pivotal role in delivering the Mattei Plan and the European Union’s Global Gateway across Africa.
Speaking at the recent joint Mattei Plan–Global Gateway Summit, Adesina highlighted the need for stronger coordination and faster implementation to maximise the impact of these transformative investment programmes.
The Mattei Plan, spearheaded by Italy in 2024, promotes equal partnerships with African nations, focusing on energy, agriculture, and migration. Complementing this, the EU’s €300 billion Global Gateway strategy earmarks €150 billion for African infrastructure and connectivity. Adesina stressed that both initiatives have the potential to reshape Africa’s industrial landscape—if delivered with urgency and aligned priorities.
One of the flagship projects cited by Adesina is the Lobito Corridor, a strategic transport and trade route linking Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The corridor is vital for enabling mineral exports and enhancing regional economic integration. The AfDB has pledged $1 billion over five years to support value chain development and urban infrastructure along this corridor, aiming to boost industrial output and reduce trade bottlenecks for landlocked countries.
To maintain momentum, Adesina urged donors to back a strong 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund—the Bank’s concessional window for low-income countries. He noted that continued funding is crucial to translating these grand visions into tangible results on the ground.
“Together, let us do more with Africa,” Adesina concluded, reaffirming the AfDB’s commitment to building sustainable, inclusive growth through strategic partnerships and investment-led development.
Source: Further Africa
