AfDB and Council of the Entente Partner to Boost West African Integration and Development

Ms. Nwabufo emphasized that now is a critical time to leverage partnerships to address both long-standing and emerging challenges facing the region.

A promising new era of regional cooperation is unfolding in West Africa as the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Council of the Entente (Conseil de l’Entente) intensify efforts to strengthen their partnership. Their goal: is to accelerate regional integration, reinforce institutional capacity, and promote sustainable, inclusive development across five West African countries.

This momentum was reaffirmed during a high-level meeting held at the AfDB headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where Nnenna Nwabufo, AfDB Vice-President for Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery, welcomed a delegation from the Council of the Entente led by Deputy Executive Secretary Ali Idi. They were joined by Joseph Martial Ribeiro, the Bank’s Deputy Director General for West Africa, and Youssouf Koné, Head of Regional Funds Management.

A Historic Partnership Reignited

Established in 1959, the Council of the Entente is one of the oldest sub-regional cooperation frameworks in Africa, bringing together Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Benin to promote peace, economic cooperation, and regional solidarity. Over the decades, it has played a pivotal role in fostering unity among its member states, but the current complex socio-political and economic landscape has heightened the need for renewed collaboration.

Ms. Nwabufo emphasized that now is a critical time to leverage partnerships to address both long-standing and emerging challenges facing the region. “Strengthening the partnership between the African Development Bank Group and the Council of the Entente offers a vital opportunity to support West Africa amid an evolving socio-political landscape, while advancing regional integration,” she said.

Regional Projects at the Heart of Collaboration

The meeting centered on advancing co-financing arrangements for high-impact regional projects, particularly those designed to enhance infrastructure, regional trade, resilience, and human development. Both parties discussed opportunities to pool resources for projects that could significantly boost regional connectivity, energy access, food security, and socio-economic inclusion.

One area of immediate synergy is the co-financing of the PARCI-CE project—Projet d’Appui au Renforcement des Capacités Institutionnelles du Conseil de l’Entente—a flagship initiative that underpins the Council’s new Strategic Plan for 2024–2028.

Unveiled by Mr. Idi, the Strategic Plan sets out a comprehensive vision to “strengthen peace, solidarity, security, and sustainable development in service of the community.” The PARCI-CE project is designed to bolster the institutional, human, and operational capacities of the Council, empowering it to better coordinate and monitor socio-economic development programs across its member countries.

Key components of the initiative include the development of regional infrastructure—such as clean water systems in rural villages, solar electrification projects, and agricultural modernization—as well as programs that promote vocational training, entrepreneurship, and employment for youth and women. It also emphasizes humanitarian support for communities impacted by conflict or displacement.

Aligning with AfDB’s Strategic Priorities

According to Mr. Idi, the PARCI-CE initiative is fully aligned with the African Development Bank’s “High 5” strategic priorities: Light up and power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa.

“Our institutional capacity-building project, aligned with the 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, echoes the Bank’s key strategic priorities for the region,” Mr. Idi stated. “The African Development Bank Group is a longstanding partner of the Council of the Entente’s member countries, and we believe this renewed collaboration can deliver tangible results in peace-building, development, and resilience.”

Capacity Building and Crisis Response

Beyond infrastructure and economic development, the partners are focusing on improving governance, preventing regional crises, and building social cohesion through targeted capacity building. Ms. Nwabufo underscored the importance of strengthening institutions to improve service delivery, accountability, and citizen trust.

She noted that joint efforts should also address climate change adaptation, promote economic diversification, and mitigate risks posed by instability and insecurity across parts of the region.

The AfDB representatives also highlighted the need to reinforce implementation mechanisms and enhance monitoring systems to ensure accountability and transparency in the delivery of regional programs—particularly those targeting vulnerable populations.

Toward a Shared Future

This deepening collaboration signals a renewed commitment to tackling the structural barriers that have long hindered West Africa’s development. Through coordinated action and strategic investment, both the African Development Bank and the Council of the Entente aim to unlock new opportunities for economic transformation, regional integration, and sustainable peace.

As the 2024–2028 Strategic Plan unfolds, stakeholders and observers alike will be watching closely to see how this revitalized alliance can deliver meaningful change across the region—improving the lives of millions and building a stronger, more resilient West Africa.