Denmark has pledged DKK 1.1 billion to the African Development Fund’s 17th replenishment (ADF-17), marking a 40 per cent increase on its previous support.
The African Development Bank (AfDB), in a statement on Friday, said the announcement was made during the 2025 Nordic-African Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting, highlighting Denmark’s long-standing partnership with the Bank.
Denmark’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Lars Rasmussen, said the pledge reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Africa and to strong multilateral cooperation.
“The Fund is a vital partner for African countries, delivering tangible impact on people’s lives. We encourage other countries to join us in supporting robust replenishment. Only together can we meet the world’s most pressing development and climate challenges facing Africa, including job creation for its youths and resilience in fragile contexts,” he said.
AfDB President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, welcomed Denmark’s early commitment, describing it as a strong demonstration of confidence in the Fund’s work.
“This 40 per cent increase reflects not only trust in the Fund’s impact, but also a shared vision of inclusive development, resilience and opportunity for Africa’s most vulnerable countries,” Tah said.
Since 1972, the ADF, which serves as the concessional window of the AfDB, has invested more than 45 billion dollars in 37 low-income African countries, supporting energy, transport, agriculture, governance and regional integration.
Denmark’s contribution aligns with its new Africa Strategy, ‘The African Century, Partnerships of Equals’, which focuses on climate adaptation, private investment and regional market integration.
The ADF-17 replenishment session is scheduled for December, when development partners are expected to confirm their contributions. Denmark’s early pledge is expected to set the pace for a successful replenishment in line with Africa’s priorities and global development goals.
(NAN)