A warm invitation to reshaping collaboration: African Development Bank Group welcomes Canada’s Africa Envoy for strategic talks
Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Senior Vice-President of the African Development Bank Group, greeted Ambassador Ben Marc Diendéré, Canada’s Special Envoy for Africa, at the Bank’s headquarters. The meeting was cordial and transparent, setting a refreshed tone for Canada–Bank relations.
"Canada is a true partner and a strong supporter of the Bank. Your country has demonstrated leadership on climate action, inclusive growth, and gender equality," Akin-Olugbade remarked. She also highlighted that Canada ranks among the top five contributors to the African Development Fund, the concessional arm of the Bank. The 17th replenishment of the Fund is scheduled to occur in London next week, on 15–16 December.
"We see the African Development Bank as a crucial instrument for Africa’s development," Diendéré stated. "Beyond our existing ties, Canada has launched its Canada–Africa Strategy to deepen our cooperation with the continent. We are politically committed to diversifying markets and are eager to explore how Canadian companies can benefit from the Bank’s tools and resources."
During the discussion, Diendéré highlighted potential partnership focuses for the future, including renewable energy, mining, agribusiness, health, technical and vocational education and training, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and the cultural and creative industries.
Akin-Olugbade and her team outlined the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (adopted in 2024) and the Four Cardinal Points steering its investments, as articulated by Bank President Sidi Ould Tah. The Senior Vice-President underscored opportunities to broaden collaboration through biannual business opportunity seminars. She also pointed to the Africa Investment Forum—which concluded on 29 November with nearly $15.3 billion in investment interest for 39 bankable projects—as an ideal platform for Canadian firms.
She proposed exploring partnerships starting with project design and feasibility studies financing and urged Canadian companies to participate in Bank-supported tender opportunities.
Diendéré invited Bank representatives to visit Canada to present the Bank’s work to the Canadian private sector. Akin-Olugbade and Diendéré agreed to develop a roadmap to elevate the Canada–Bank relationship to a more productive and mutually beneficial level.
