H.E. Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, is leading the African Union delegation to the 2026 World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., where she is undertaking a series of high-level engagements to advance Africa’s development priorities and reinforce the strategic partnership between the African Union and the World Bank Group.

The mission reflects the African Union’s continued commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in support of Agenda 2063, with particular emphasis on regional integration, job creation, digital transformation, health systems strengthening, and industrial development.

Throughout the Spring Meetings, H.E. the Deputy Chairperson is leading policy discussions and high-level bilateral meetings with senior World Bank Group leadership on issues of strategic importance to the continent. H.E. the Deputy Chairperson will also have an engagement with the African Union Mission in Washington, D.C and participate in a High-Level Roundtable on Advancing Africa’s Transformation Agenda and the Strategic Role of Women in Leadership convened by the African Women’s Leadership Network (AWLN).

As part of her programme, H.E. the Deputy Chairperson is leading discussions on key pillars of the African Union–World Bank Group Memorandum of Understanding, including digital transformation and jobs, health systems strengthening and pharmaceutical production, and enabling progress on Energy Access and Just Transition.

H.E. the Deputy Chairperson is also scheduled to speak at “Integrating Africa: From Threads to Hubs,” where she will deliver opening remarks during a high-level dialogue on advancing regional integration and shared continental priorities. She will further participate in “Health Works: Unlocking Local Pharma Manufacturing for Growth and Opportunity,” a strategic event focused on promoting regulatory reform and investment actions to support local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa.

On behalf of H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. the Deputy Chairperson will deliver an intervention at the Development Committee Session on “Creating the Enabling Environment for Jobs.” The Development Committee is a ministerial-level forum of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, established in 1974 to build intergovernmental consensus on development issues. Bringing together 25 members, usually Ministers of Finance or Development, representing the full membership of both institutions, the Committee remains one of the most important platforms for shaping global development dialogue and mobilising support for developing countries. H.E. the Deputy Chairperson’s participation underscores the importance the African Union attaches to ensuring that Africa’s priorities are fully reflected in global decision-making on development finance and economic transformation.

The African Union Commission remains committed to leveraging strategic global partnerships with the World Bank Group to accelerate Africa’s development, strengthen continental institutions, and promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth for the peoples of Africa.

For media inquiries, please contact:

1. Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou, Head of Media and Information Division, Information and Communication Directorate, AUC and Communication Advisor of the AU Permanent Observer Mission to the UN. Tel: +1 347 812 71 95 , Email: yamboue@africanunion.org
2. Mr. Salaheddine Tiar, Executive Assistant, Bureau of the Deputy Chairperson | Email: TiarS@africanunion.org
3. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africanunion.org