The AADFI Economist Forum (AADFI-EF) convened its Governance Meeting on May 27, 2025, at the Ivotel Hotel & Spa in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The gathering brought together economists and representatives from member institutions to reinforce the Forum’s governance structure, define its research priorities, and align its work with the broader strategic vision of AADFI.
A key outcome of the meeting was the formalization of the Forum’s Executive Committee (EXCO), structured to ensure regional balance with two representatives per region. Mr. Zeph Nhleko, Chief Economist at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), was appointed as Chairperson for a four-year term, with Mr. Charles Omary Biladi of the Fonds de Promotion de l’Industrie (FPI), D.R. Congo, serving as Deputy Chairperson.
The Forum also identified seven thematic areas for collaborative research, including economic growth strategies, agriculture and technology, trade and regional value chains, carbon and capital issues, and green industrialization. Members of the Forum’s EXCO volunteered to lead research efforts in each area, with research outputs to be shared at the continental level.
The Forum’s upcoming activities include the next Executive Meeting, scheduled to be held virtually on August 22, 2025. The Forum is also preparing for its participation in the ADFIAP-AADFI Joint International CEO Forum, which will take place in Macao, China, from October 22 to 24, 2025.
The Governance Meeting concluded with a strong sense of purpose and optimism. The Forum’s EXCO members reaffirmed their commitment to positioning the Economist Forum as a catalyst for knowledge exchange and strategic insight across the development finance community.