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02 February 2026 at 05:42 pm IST
The United States has declined to pledge funding to the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) 2025 replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF), dealing a significant blow to one of Africa’s most important sources of concessional finance for low-income countries. The ADF, which provides long-term, low-interest loans to 37 of Africa’s poorest nations, raised $11 billion at a pledging conference in London in December—far short of its original $25 billion target. While several European donors increased their contributions and African nations pledged funds for the first time, the absence of a U.S. commitment has left a sizeable financing gap. A U.S. Treasury spokesperson said the Trump administration chose not to contribute because it believes the ADF has placed “a disproportionate focus on climate change, gender, and social issues,” instead of prioritizing economic growth, private sector job creation, and poverty reduction. The decision marks a sharp departure from the previous funding round in 2022, when the Biden administration pledged $550 million—more than 6% of total commitments—although Trump later withheld a $197 million tranche of that pledge after returning to office. The move aligns with a broader U.S. retreat from multilateral development and climate finance. Washington has reduced contributions to the World Bank’s International Development Association, withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, and pulled back from G20 climate engagement. The dismantling of USAID has also had ripple effects across Africa, affecting health, humanitarian, and development projects. To offset the shortfall, the AfDB is turning to African member states, which collectively pledged $182.7 million, and to innovative financing. The fund plans to raise up to $1 billion through market borrowing once it secures a credit rating, underscoring a growing shift toward self-reliance amid tightening global aid flows.
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