Mbabane – The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has officially opened its 2025 Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as African nations—including Eswatini—navigate rising economic uncertainty, global trade tensions, and shifting development finance trends.

Running from May 26 to 30, the meetings have drawn over 6,000 high-level participants, including African Heads of State, central bank governors, finance ministers, private sector leaders, and representatives from civil society, NGOs, and the international media.

This year’s theme, “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development,” underscores the need for African nations to better mobilize and utilize their vast capital—both human and financial—to drive inclusive growth and resilience.

Eswatini’s Strategic Role

As a member of the AfDB, Eswatini is expected to play an active role in discussions around regional integration, industrialisation, and trade diversification. The Bank has highlighted the urgency for countries like Eswatini—reliant on raw and semi-processed exports—to enhance their value chains and attract sustainable investments.

The call aligns with AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s warning that global shifts, such as reduced USAID funding and evolving US trade policies, are putting pressure on African economies. “The cost of servicing foreign currency debt is going to get worse,” Dr. Adesina said in a recent interview.

Focus on Implementation

Dr. Adesina urged African countries to engage constructively with global partners while prioritizing local industrialisation and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a $3.4 trillion market opportunity. He emphasized that transitioning to green energy, tapping into youth potential, and attracting equitable investment are critical next steps.

Notable Achievements and Future Outlook

Under Adesina’s leadership, the AfDB has implemented its flagship ‘High 5’ strategy, which has impacted over 500 million lives through projects focusing on electrification, food security, industrial growth, and infrastructure development.

Key milestones include:

Over US$55 billion invested in infrastructure projects
US$225 billion mobilised in development finance through initiatives like the Africa Investment Forum
Mission 300, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030

One of the key highlights of the 2025 meetings will be the election of a new AfDB president, as Dr. Adesina’s second five-year term concludes on August 31, 2025.

As Eswatini works to strengthen trade ties and attract investment into sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, its participation in this year’s meetings represents a crucial opportunity to align with continental development goals and boost national economic prospects.