Energy, Climate Finance and Industrialisation Dominate AfDB Summit

African leaders have renewed calls for massive investment in energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate financing as part of efforts to fast-track the continent’s economic transformation.

The call was made during a high-level presidential dialogue at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The session featured several African leaders, including Brice Oligui Nguema, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Denis Sassou Nguesso and AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah.

The leaders stressed that Africa must mobilise more private capital and build stronger financial partnerships to fund large-scale development projects capable of transforming economies across the continent.

Speaking during the dialogue, President Nguema of Gabon said his administration was focusing on converting the country’s natural resources and biodiversity into sustainable economic opportunities through eco-tourism and carbon credit initiatives.

“We would like to develop our forests while preserving nature,” he stated.

The Gabonese leader also called for increased international financial compensation for Congo Basin nations helping to preserve global forest ecosystems.

Host President Denis Sassou Nguesso emphasised the importance of reducing dependence on oil and gas by expanding industrial and agricultural production.

He highlighted Congo’s plans to grow fertiliser production using its vast reserves of phosphate, potash and natural gas.

Nguesso also stressed that Africa’s industrial ambitions cannot succeed without reliable electricity and energy infrastructure.

“It is not possible to achieve development without energy,” he declared.

Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra appealed for stronger international backing for landlocked African nations struggling with poor infrastructure and weak regional connectivity.

“We have huge potential. Today we have peace, and there are several sectors that can attract investors,” he said.

Responding to concerns over Africa’s financing deficit, AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah disclosed that Africans collectively hold nearly $4 trillion in financial resources globally funds he believes can be redirected toward development on the continent.

“It is our role at the bank to work with states and financial institutions to design bankable projects and mobilise the necessary financing,” he stated.

The leaders also highlighted the importance of investing heavily in Africa’s youthful population through education, engineering, technical training and innovation.

They argued that long-term economic transformation would depend largely on building a skilled workforce capable of driving industrialisation and technological advancement across the continent.