The AADFI Economist Forum (AADFI-EF) held three pivotal meetings in 2025, advancing research and knowledge development for African Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).
The first meeting took place on February 26, 2025, on the margins of the 2025 FiCS at the Cape Town International Conference Center (CTICC) in South Africa, and discussed “Leveraging the AfCFTA to Promote the Development of Regional Value Chains: The Role of Development Finance Institutions.”
On May 27, 2025, the AADFI Economist Forum convened again at the Ivotel Hotel & Spa in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Zeph Nhleko, Chairperson of the Forum and Chief Economist at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). It defined seven thematic research areas, including economic growth strategies, agriculture and technology, trade and regional value chains, carbon and capital issues, and green industrialization. Selected members volunteered to lead research efforts in these areas, reinforcing the Forum’s ambition to serve as a continental think tank and knowledge hub for African DFIs.
The third meeting, held on October 24, 2025, at the Wynn Hotel in Macau SAR, China, brought together representatives from key African regions to advance the Forum’s research agenda. Members adopted the 2026 work plan, agreed to increase meeting frequency to quarterly sessions, and endorsed rigorous standards for the upcoming AADFI Journal. The Forum also explored models for research funding and committed to greater collaboration and transparency in institutional research activities. Action items were set to ensure timely progress and strengthen the impact of research across the continent.
Through these engagements, the AADFI Economist Forum reaffirmed its commitment to driving knowledge exchange and innovative research that supports Africa’s development finance ecosystem.