The meeting, held under the theme “Platform Solutions for Africa’s Transformation: De-risking Aviation and Health Systems through Innovative Financing”.
Governors of the African Development Bank Group (Bank Group) (www.AfDB.org), technical and financial partners, private sector representatives, philanthropic foundations, and investors expressed strong support for the Bank Group’s new platform solutions approach aimed at accelerating Africa’s transformation in the health and aviation sectors.
On the sidelines of its 2026 Annual Meetings, held on May 28 in Brazzaville, the Bank Group presented two concrete applications of this approach to key stakeholders: the Integrated Aviation Transformation Program (IATP) and the African Medical Equipment and Medicines Facility (AMEF), both designed to mobilise greater capital, reduce risks, and address major continental challenges.
The meeting, held under the theme “Platform Solutions for Africa’s Transformation: De-risking Aviation and Health Systems through Innovative Financing,” enabled participants to appreciate the Bank Group’s approach, which reflects the evolving role of multilateral development banks: moving from project-by-project financing to creating platforms capable of bringing together partners, attracting capital, and delivering solutions at the scale, to the continent’s challenges.
The Bank presented the IATP and AMEF not only as two complementary initiatives but, more importantly, as two applications of the same financial architecture: one aimed at strengthening air connectivity, logistics chains, and regional integration; the other focused on securing access to essential medicines, vaccines, and medical equipment.
“We need high-quality medicines that meet international standards. Africa also needs airlines capable of connecting the entire continent, strengthening regional integration, and supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” said Dr Sidi Ould Tah, President of the Bank Group, as he opened the discussions.
In the aviation sector, the IATP seeks to support fleet modernisation, infrastructure upgrades, logistics improvements, and the integration of Africa’s air transport market. The Bank Group aims to mobilise US$7 billion over the next five years to help unlock the potential of African aviation, in partnership with African governments, the African Union, development partners, the private sector, banks and investors, aircraft manufacturers, leasing companies, airlines, and others.
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