As the international community gathers for the 2025 World Bank Group (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings under the theme "Jobs – The Path to Prosperity," from 21 to 26 April 2025, the African Union (AU) will convene strategic side events to articulate Africa's development priorities in reshaping global economic governance, mobilizing sustainable investments, and addressing systemic financial challenges.

In alignment with Agenda 2063's aspirations for inclusive growth and enhanced global engagement, the AU's participation reflects the continent's commitment to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development partnerships.

Key Focus Areas for the AU at the Spring Meetings

1. Reforming Global Financial Architecture for African Prosperity

. The AU will advocate for:

• Reforming the global financial architecture in an effort to improve the structure, institutions, rules, and processes that govern international finance in order to make the global economy more stable, equitable, and resilient.
• Concessional financing to counter rising borrowing costs, with Africa paying up to 5 times more in interest than advanced economies (AfDB, 2023).
• Fair representation, pushing for IMF quota reforms to reflect Africa’s $3.4 trillion collective GDP—yet the continent holds less than 5% of voting shares in Bretton Woods institutions.

2. Unlocking Investments for Jobs and Sustainable Growth

With Africa’s working-age population set to double to 1 billion by 2050, the AU will spotlight:

• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), projected to boost intra-African trade by 52% and create 30 million jobs by 2035 (World Bank, 2024).
• Infrastructure partnerships, targeting sectors such as renewable energy, where Africa receives only 2% of global clean energy investments despite its vast solar and wind potential (IEA, 2024).

3. Climate Finance and Debt Relief for Resilience

Africa contributes less than 4% of global emissions but bears the brunt of climate shocks, losing 5–15% of GDP per capita to climate-related disasters annually (African Development Bank, 2024). The AU will call for:

• Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) rechanneling through Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), including the African Development Bank MDBs – this is a unique business model that can multiply by at least four times the SDRs allocated to them. This will transform the SDRs from static foreign reserve assets into dynamic lending instruments (at affordable costs) and at zero cost to the taxpayers in the SDR-rich countries to finance development.
• 17th replenishment of African Development Fund (ADF). The critical role of ADF cannot be overemphasised –The AfDB Fund is at the heart of Africa’s transformation, driving infrastructure, climate action, industrialization, and financial inclusion. Its investments are shaping a more resilient and prosperous Africa.

4. Elevating Africa’s Voice in Global Governance

The AU will rally support for institutional reforms, emphasizing that Africa’s economic growth (4.1% in 2025, IMF forecast) outpaces the global average (3.2%)—yet its policy influence remains marginal.

The African Union Mission to the United States in its role as coordinator of AU's engagement with WB and the IMF will host a series of strategic events during the 2025 WB/IMF Spring Meetings, in partnership the AU 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞, 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦, 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬 (ETTIM), African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), African Development Bank and Development Reimagined.

The events below will take place AU Mission 1640 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, DC

Schedule of the AU meetings & side events

To RSVP contact Mauyakufam@africanunion.org and MiriamM@africa-union.org

 For further information, please contact:

Dr. Patrick Ndzana Olomo | Ag. Director of Economic Development Integration and Trade | Email: OlomoP@africanunion.org

Media Contact

Faith Adhiambo | Communication officer- Agenda 2063 | Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission | E-mail ochiengj@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org 
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