The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group will host its 2025 annual meetings from May 26 to 30 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, under the theme: "Making the Most of Africa's Capital to Foster its Development.”

This update was shared on April 10 during a press conference held both in person at the bank's headquarters in Abidjan and online, ahead of the annual meetings.

The gathering is expected to draw over 3,000 participants, including heads of state, finance ministers, central bank governors, private sector leaders, academics, and representatives from civil society across the bank’s 81 member countries.

A key highlight of the event will be the election of a new Bank President, set to take place on May 29.

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The elected candidate will serve a renewable five-year term, succeeding Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, who is completing his second and final term in office.

Five candidates have been shortlisted for the position: Amadou Hott of Senegal, Samuel Munzele Maimbo of Zambia, Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania, Abbas Mahamat Tolli of Chad, and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala of South Africa.

Vincent O. Nmehielle, the Secretary-General of the AfDB Group, outlined the annual meetings’ primary objectives. He said, "These meetings are primarily a statutory event of the Bank Group. They bring together the Board of Governors, which is the highest decision-making and oversight organ of the institution.”

The Bank and Fund Presidents will present annual reports detailing financial performance and institutional activities, which the Governors will then review and adopt through formal resolutions.

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A key feature of the annual meetings is the Governors’ Dialogue—a high-level platform for member state representatives to engage directly with the Bank’s senior leadership.

"This platform allows governors to engage with the president and senior management on issues of strategic importance to the continent, particularly within the context of the Bank Group’s 10-Year Strategy for 2024–2033,” Nmehielle said.

He also noted the inclusion of youth voices in this year’s dialogue. "Selected youth from various African regions will participate, bringing insights on how best to leverage the continent’s largely untapped demographic dividend.”

Kevin Chika Urama, the bank’s chief economist and vice president for economic governance and knowledge management, noted that the theme of the meetings centres on effectively leveraging Africa’s existing resources to drive development.

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"That means looking at how to harness Africa’s fiscal resources, human capital, business capital, and natural capital.”

The annual meetings will include knowledge events such as a presidential dialogue with African leaders, the launch of the 2025 African Economic Outlook Report, and thematic discussions.

These sessions will focus on Africa's capital mobilisation, economic challenges, and strengthening institutional capacity for sustainable development.