Since 1964, the African Development Bank (AfDB) group has been funding projects, providing loans and grants to governments, and investing in private companies across the African continent. It has supported poverty-reduction and livelihoods programmes, but also harmful large-scale projects, such as coal plants, mega hydroelectric dams and polluting fertilizer factories.
The AfDB has the power to shape the development agenda of all the African countries. Its projects — for good or bad — are directly affecting the lives of millions of people. As it spends public money, it should support projects that truly serve the interests of local communities, and its primary beneficiaries (African people) should be able to participate in the AfDB’s decision-making processes.
However, spaces for meaningful engagement and participation of civil society organizations (CSOs) and communities in vulnerable or marginalized situations (including Indigenous Peoples, women, children, people with disabilities) are often severely limited.
Why does the AfDB matter?
- its operations can directly or indirectly impact you or your community: some projects might contribute to human rights violations, displace you, affect your livelihood, or pollute your territory;
- it is an international organization, that contributes to shaping the global development agenda;
- it is a public institution: it should serve the interests of African peoples;
- it has committed to spur sustainable development, respect human rights, ensure access to information & transparency, and comply with its safeguards. Yet, it sometimes fails to stay true to its commitments: it is crucial to hold it accountable.
Advocacy
Review of the Integrated Safeguards System
- Joint submission on the ISS review
- Joint submission, submitted by over 30 CSOs, on the commitments against reprisals
- International Accountability Project – submission with a focus on stakeholder engagement
- Indian Law Resource Center – submission with a focus on Indigenous Peoples rights
- Accountability Counsel – submission with a focus on accountability and remedy
- Friends of the Earth – submission with a focus on biodiversity
- Both Ends – submission on the ISS review
- Bank Information Centre – submission on the ISS review
Disclouse and Access to Information policy review
- International Accountability Project – The African Development Bank Must Strengthen its Information Disclosure Practices and Policies to Center Communities in the Development Process
Other advocacy letters (2016 - 2021)
- Civil Society Recommendations on the AfDB (May 2018)
- CSOs Urge AfDB to Promote the Interests of Ordinary Africans over Mega Investors at its Annual Meetings (May 2018)
- Senegalese groups challenge banks on coal power plant (May 2016)
- African CSO’s urge AfDB to strengthen civil society engagement (Feb 2016)
Stories and updates
A step towards justice: AfDB accountability mechanism’s report confirms human rights violations in two projects in Uganda
The importance of creating space for meaningful civil society engagement at the 2024 AfDB Annual Meetings
Joint statement: AfDB should open spaces for civil society and communities
Senegal: 26 people arrested for peacefully discussing how to demand fair compensation in the context of a train project
Stay in Touch
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If you are in #Tbilisi, don't miss this beautiful art exhibition organised by @forum_adb showcasing some of the stories of communities across #Asia impacted by @ADB_HQ projects
👇 👇👇
🌍 Join us for an insightful session on protecting people and the planet!
🌿 Forum is shedding light on CSO reflections regarding the @ADB_HQ Draft ESF and proposed changes in safeguards policy.
We'll discuss recommendations to safeguard project-affected individuals and…
🎨✨ In TBILISI now!
🌊 Explore a preview of our exhibition exposing the link between environmental degradation, social injustice, and human rights violations caused by @ADB_HQ projects.
With @ceebankwatch, @RightsinDevt, Green Alternative ✊🏽
Can't make it? No worries, catch…
The Lower Sesan 2 Dam is being partly funded by ABBank, a financial intermediary (FI) client of the @IFC_org. Financial intermediaries represent the nexus between development finance and commercial banking.
Read about the Lower Sesan 2 Dam Project here: http://bit.ly/IFC_LowerSesan2
