In a major diplomatic and financial milestone, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ghana jointly hosted the 17th Replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF-17) Pledging Conference at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development headquarters in London.
This high-level gathering focused on mobilizing resources for Africa’s most vulnerable nations while highlighting a significant shift toward African ownership of the continent’s development. Ghana’s role as co-host is viewed by international observers as a mark of renewed global confidence in the country’s recent economic reforms and fiscal turnaround.
A defining feature of the conference was the increased financial commitment from African nations themselves. Earlier in May 2025, Ghana led a constituency including The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan in pledging a collective US$16 million to the fund. This marks the first time all five countries in the group have contributed simultaneously.
- Ghana’s Direct Contribution: US$5 million, reflecting the government’s commitment to “Reset” its role from a passive aid recipient to an active development partner.
- Focus Areas: ADF-supported projects in Ghana are currently prioritizing women-led MSMEs and the expansion of clean energy via mini-grid solutions to enhance national energy security.
The conference signaled an evolving relationship between the UK and its African partners. UK Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman, emphasized that British involvement is shifting from traditional donor-based aid to a strategic investment model.
This approach rewards countries pursuing transparency and governance reforms, helping them grow their economies and reduce long-term aid dependency. Ghana’s Deputy Finance Minister, Hon. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, echoed this sentiment, stating that the co-hosting role allows Ghana to champion African voices in shaping global financial priorities.
The London conference aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s “Reset Agenda,” which seeks to position Accra as a central hub for international development dialogue. By advocating for fairer, country-led models and global financial reforms, Ghana is asserting its influence as a leader in South-South cooperation.
The presence of heads from the Islamic Development Bank, the OPEC Fund, and the Arab Bank for Economic Development underscored the global importance of the ADF-17 replenishment in building continental resilience.
