Africa’s $4 trillion in savings should drive its development, says AfDB

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Sidi Ould Tah, has called on Africa to mobilise its estimated four trillion dollars in domestic savings to fund the continent’s development priorities.

Ould Tah made the remarks during a news conference held at the conclusion of the 2026 AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

The meetings ran from May 25 to May 29.

He described a major paradox: Africa faces an annual development financing gap of about 400 billion dollars despite possessing vast financial resources.

“One of Africa’s greatest paradoxes is that while the continent faces a huge financing gap, it also possesses roughly four trillion dollars in savings that are not invested in development,” he said.

According to Ould Tah, regulatory barriers and investor concerns over risk continue to limit investments in African projects.

He noted that many pension funds and institutional investors remain cautious because of their obligations to protect contributors’ savings.

To tackle this issue, Tah said the bank is developing risk‑mitigation instruments to encourage long‑term investment in African economies.

He cited the African Trade and Development Fund (ATDF) as one of the mechanisms designed to reduce investment risks and attract institutional capital.

Tah added that the AfDB has recently increased its participation in the fund’s capital to strengthen investor confidence and attract additional partners.

He said mobilising African capital is essential to reduce dependence on external financing and achieve economic sovereignty.

The AfDB president highlighted Africa’s enormous natural wealth and demographic potential, stating that the continent must transform these assets into prosperity.

Tah said Africa accounts for about 18 percent of the world’s population and holds more than 30 percent of global mineral resources.

He also noted that Africa’s contribution to global gross domestic product (GDP) remains disproportionately low.

“We cannot continue exporting raw materials and importing finished products while expecting different results,” he said.

Tah stressed the need for large‑scale investments capable of supporting industrialisation, job creation and economic transformation.

He said the bank’s Board had approved the presidency’s roadmap for implementing its four strategic priorities and the new African Financial Architecture.

The AfDB president said the decisions taken at the Brazzaville meetings reflected a stronger commitment to African‑led development financing.

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