The Gambia has taken part in a key international meeting in London aimed at securing fresh funding for development projects across Africa.

The final pledging session for the African Development Fund’s next three-year financing cycle, known as ADF-17, opened this week, drawing representatives from African countries and international development partners.

The fund is the concessional lending arm of the African Development Bank Group and supports projects in some of the continent’s poorest and most vulnerable countries.

The African Development Fund is replenished every three years through contributions from member states and donors.

The money is used to finance projects in areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, climate resilience and economic transformation, with the aim of reducing poverty and promoting sustainable growth.

The Gambian delegation to the London meeting was led by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Seedy K.M. Keita, alongside senior officials from his ministry.

According to officials, the discussions focused on sustainable financing, national development priorities and Africa’s shared responsibility in strengthening the Fund.

The meeting has been marked by what organisers describe as a strong level of commitment from African countries, reflecting a growing push by the continent to play a more active role in shaping development financing at a time of global economic pressure and increasing climate-related challenges.

By Adama Makasuba