AfDB and AFD sign 2026–2031 pact on African project co-financing

The African Development Bank Group and France’s Agence française de développement signed a memorandum of understanding in Paris on 10 November 2026 covering cooperation for 2026–2031. AFD published the announcement on 12 November. The agreement aims to expand joint investment across Africa by involving both institutions earlier in project development and keeping their work aligned through implementation.

The confirmed development is a signed institutional framework. The release does not attach a new aggregate financing amount to the pact, or announce that an individual project has received approval or disbursement under it. Its proposed financing mechanisms therefore need to be distinguished from completed transactions.

Preparation alongside financing

AFD says the partners intend to assess prospective projects jointly and combine financing with technical advice, policy dialogue and capacity building. They will also cooperate on project management, monitoring and knowledge transfer. The stated priorities include energy transition infrastructure, transport, water and sanitation, regional connectivity, agriculture and industry.

The framework also envisages work on blended finance, guarantees and carbon finance, including exploring European financial instruments and co-financing platforms. These are areas for cooperation, rather than a published application window with terms for individual sponsors.

Existing projects provide context

The Guardian’s 13 November account corroborates the signing date and reports that the relationship has supported 17 projects in 14 countries since 2021. It identifies Nigeria’s Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme among existing joint activities, alongside complementary financing for the Abidjan–Lagos, Abidjan–Ouagadougou and Lobito corridors.

The newspaper also lists Qair solar projects in Chad and Tanzania’s Kakono hydropower project as examples of the existing relationship. Those references describe prior or continuing operations; they should not be counted as fresh awards created by the Paris memorandum.

B&A perspective

For sponsors, earlier coordination between financiers could make project preparation more coherent. The next evidence to watch is transaction-specific: named projects, investment decisions and financing agreements. Sector alignment with this framework alone establishes neither eligibility nor access to capital.