Norway has reaffirmed its development partnership with Africa with a contribution of more than three billion Norwegian kroner (about $300 million) to the African Development Fund (ADF).
The contribution, covering the 2026–2028 replenishment cycle (ADF-17), is expected to support economic resilience, institutional strengthening, and poverty reduction in 37 low-income African countries.
This was contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
Norway’s Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, said the investment reflected the country’s commitment to sustainable development, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.
“We know that having a job to go to, a living wage, and a decent working life is the most important way to help oneself out of poverty,” Aukrust said.
He described the African Development Fund as a key instrument for promoting inclusive growth and strengthening governance systems across beneficiary countries.
According to him, the fund supports economic reforms, mobilises private capital, and improves domestic revenue generation in partner countries.
“The aim of our involvement in the African Development Fund is to contribute to more resilient economies and stable societies,” he said.
Aukrust said the fund’s investments in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and industrial development were critical to reducing vulnerability and improving productivity in low-income economies.
He also highlighted growing African ownership of the fund, noting that 25 African countries now contribute to its resources, compared with none when it was established in 1972.
“This reflects the fact that many countries in Africa have experienced and continue to experience economic growth, which is crucial for stability and welfare, especially for young populations,” he said.
The African Development Fund, the concessional financing arm of the African Development Bank Group, provides grants and low-interest loans to low-income countries across the continent.
Its interventions focus on infrastructure development, energy access, food security, industrialisation, regional integration, job creation, and stronger economic governance.
The statement said Norway’s contribution aligns with its broader strategy of using development finance institutions to attract additional private and external investment, thereby increasing the impact of donor support.
The latest replenishment highlights continued international backing for Africa’s development priorities, including climate adaptation, energy access, and employment creation.
