The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has released its African Development Fund (ADF-16) Delivery and Results Report for 2025, highlighting the Fund’s transformative role in advancing sustainable development across Africa’s low-income countries despite a challenging global economic environment.
The report, titled “Driving Inclusive Growth: Strategic Investments for Impactful Results,” was unveiled during the third meeting of the ADF-17 Replenishment, taking place in Lusaka, Zambia, from 7 to 9 October 2025. It captures key achievements in 2024, underscoring the Fund’s commitment to structural transformation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth.
Transformative Impact in 2024
According to the report, ADF interventions delivered measurable results across multiple sectors in 2024. More than 2.9 million people gained access to clean water, while 500,761 people, including 251,766 women, were connected to electricity. The Fund also improved health services for 1.2 million people, supported 24,403 agribusinesses—8,380 of which are women-led—and equipped over 520,000 farmers with climate-resilient technologies.
Infrastructure investments were equally impactful, with 614 kilometres of roads constructed or rehabilitated, improving transport access for 3.5 million people. The Fund’s operations created or supported 115,564 direct and 449,224 indirect jobs, and enhanced ICT access for 1.3 million people.
Strategic Priorities and Partnerships
The ADF continues to align its interventions with Africa’s long-term development agenda. Among the flagship initiatives is Mission 300, a joint partnership with the World Bank aimed at providing electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030, supported by more than $55 billion in commitments from development partners including the French Development Agency, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the OPEC Fund for International Development.
Climate action remains a central pillar of the Fund’s work. The Climate Action Window (CAW) successfully mobilised $442 million, with 99 per cent of new projects integrating climate resilience measures. The Fund has also strengthened its response to fragility and conflict by applying a dedicated “fragility lens” across all operations.
Promoting Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment
The report reaffirms the Fund’s focus on gender inclusion and youth empowerment. All ADF-supported projects are now classified using a gender marker, with 96 per cent of new projects incorporating gender equality components. In 2024 alone, the Fund created more than 290,000 jobs for young people aged between 15 and 35.
“Together, with ambition and solidarity, let us engage with Africa’s youth to forge a new chapter of growth, resilience, and shared prosperity,” said Dr Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group. “This is a defining moment. The African Development Fund stands ready to meet Africa’s aspirations, leveraging strategic partnerships and innovation for speed, scale, and impact.”
Accountability and Performance
The ADF-16 Delivery and Results Report evaluates progress across 37 beneficiary countries and tracks implementation of institutional commitments for the 2023–2025 replenishment cycle. It serves as the Fund’s flagship accountability and performance review tool, complementing the Annual Development Effectiveness Review (ADER) of the Bank Group.