Civil Society Urges African Development Bank to Shift Focus

A coalition of civil society organizations, known as the Stop Financing Factory Farming Coalition, has called on the African Development Bank Group to prioritize investments in agroecological and climate-resilient farming approaches rather than financing industrial livestock models. This appeal was made ahead of the African Development Bank's annual meeting scheduled for 2026 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

The coalition's statement, released on Thursday, stresses the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in financial decisions that shape Africa's food systems. They highlight that the African Development Bank's flagship Feed Africa strategy requires an estimated investment of between $315 billion and $400 billion over the next ten years.

The coalition warns that without stronger safeguards and community participation, the current financing model could exacerbate environmental degradation, strain land and water resources, and threaten rural livelihoods. Opeyemi Elujulo, campaign coordinator for the coalition, emphasized that decisions made at the upcoming meeting will significantly influence Africa's food future.