The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) says Norway has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to Africa’s low-income countries with a NKr3.1-billion pledge to the African Development Fund’s seventeenth replenishment (ADF-17).

The AfDB notes that the announcement, made during the Global Citizen Now: Johannesburg event, held on November 21, was later reiterated in a bilateral meeting between Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre and AfDB president Dr Sidi Ould Tah.

The pledge includes a core ADF-17 contribution of NKr2.38-billion, representing a 5.79% increase from ADF-16.

Norway also confirmed continued support of the ADF’s Climate Action Window with a commitment of NKr150-million. Earlier this year, Norway contributed NKr50-million to the Climate Action Window – becoming its fifth investor.

“Norway has been a highly valued partner of the ADF.

“My discussion with the prime minister underscored our shared focus on youth opportunity, sustainable growth and strong partnerships. Norway’s support to ADF-17 will help the fund expand its impact at a decisive moment for Africa’s most vulnerable economies,” says Tah.

The AfDB notes that Norway has participated in every replenishment of the ADF since joining in 1973 and continues to prioritise core support that enhanced predictability and responsiveness.

According to the Norwegian government’s official statement, this contribution reflects Norway’s commitment to improving access to food, electricity, water and sanitation, health services, education and jobs for people living in the world’s most vulnerable contexts.

“All countries share a responsibility to work to build a more peaceful and more equitable world.

“This funding will go towards improving the lives of some of the world’s poorest people. It will be used, among other things, to provide people with access to food, electricity, water and sanitation, health services, education and jobs,” Støre says in the Norwegian government’s official statement.

Norway further notes that the contribution forms part of the follow-up to its 2024 strategy for engagement with African countries.

The AfDB says Norway recognises the AFD’s integral role in initiatives such as Mission 300, which aims to expand electricity access to 300-million people in Africa by 2030.

The ADF is the concessional window of the AfDB and a key source of financing for 37 low-income African countries.

Since 1972, it has supported essential investments in energy, transport, agriculture, regional integration and governance through grants, highly concessional loans and guarantees.

The AfDB says the seventeenth replenishment of the ADF will be finalised at a pledging session in London from December 15 to 16, when development partners will confirm their contributions.