Group Photo Of the African Development Bank Delegation With President Barrow, And Hon. Seedy Keita
By Ramatoulie Jawo
President Adama Barrow on Tuesday received a high-level delegation of seven executive directors from the African Development Bank (AfDB) at the State House. The delegation, representing various countries, was accompanied by Seedy Keita, The Gambia’s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs.
According to the delegation, the visit is part of their responsibilities to conduct consultation missions, evaluate the effectiveness of the Bank’s project portfolio, and review strategic engagements within member countries. Their primary objective is to understand and assess the development priorities and experiences of regional member states.
Addressing the press after the meeting, Minister Keita described the visit as historic, noting that it is the first of its kind since the AfDB established a relationship with The Gambia in 1974.“This is a historic visit as it is a first of its kind since the bank had a relationship with the Gambia in 1974. The executive director has briefed the president on their engagement with the Gambia and the positive contribution of their development impacts in the Gambia,” Keita said.
He added that the delegation reiterated the Bank’s commitment to deepening its relationship with The Gambia. “The directors are here to witness firsthand the impact of their projects on the lives and livelihoods of Gambians,” he noted.
The African Development Bank has been a vital partner in The Gambia’s development, supporting projects in infrastructure, agriculture, education, and health. Since 1974, the Bank has invested over $456 million in public sector infrastructure projects across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Dr. Nomfundo Xenia Newenya expressed gratitude for the warm reception from the Gambian government. She emphasized that the mission’s goal is to ensure that discussions held at the AfDB headquarters in Abidjan align with the realities on the ground in member countries.“We look forward to seeing a number of the projects over the coming days in the Gambia. We are also meeting with various stakeholders, so we do not only engage with the government,” Dr. Newenya said.
She highlighted the importance of engaging diverse stakeholders who play crucial roles in the development process. “By the end of our visit, we hope to gain a clearer understanding of how we can best support The Gambia’s development aspirations,” she concluded.
The delegation’s visit will include site tours of key development projects and continued dialogue with various stakeholders, underscoring the AfDB’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development in The Gambia.