The Republic of Congo will host the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) 2026 Annual Meetings from May 25 to 29, marking the first convening under the leadership of Dr Sidi Ould Tah, who assumed the Bank Group presidency in May 2025.

The memorandum of understanding formalising Congo’s role as host was signed in Brazzaville by Ludovic Ngatsé, Minister of the Economy, Planning, Statistics, and Regional Integration and Congo’s Bank Group Governor, and Vincent O. Nmehielle, Secretary General of the Bank Group. Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso attended the signing.

The 2026 meetings, the 61st for the AfDB and the 51st for the African Development Fund, will bring together more than 3,000 participants, including Bank governors and directors, development partners, private sector actors, civil society representatives, media, and management teams. Preparatory discussions between the Bank and the Congolese authorities began in September, focusing on logistics, security, accommodation, transport, ICT, and statutory meetings.

Ngatsé described the initial preparatory mission as “useful and fruitful”, noting that it clarified organisational structures and responsibilities. Nmehielle emphasised the Bank’s oversight role, committing to maintain quality standards and compliance with procurement rules.

The Republic of Congo previously hosted the Annual Meetings in 1984. Bank operations in the country date back to 1972, with cumulative approvals totalling 1.27 billion US dollars. As of June 30, 2025, the active portfolio included nine sovereign operations valued at approximately 223.3 million US dollars across transport, agriculture, finance, energy, and water and sanitation.

The Annual Meetings serve as a statutory forum for the Bank’s Board of Governors to review performance, adopt strategic resolutions, and coordinate initiatives aimed at accelerating development across Africa.