Brazzaville, Republic of Congo | 28 May 2026
Dr. Augustine Bantar Njamnshi has called for the urgent democratization of Africa’s development finance architecture, emphasizing that civil society, philanthropy, and the African diaspora must become central actors in shaping the continent’s economic future.
Speaking during the high-level dialogue themed “Civil Society, Philanthropies and the Diaspora as Strategic Accelerators of the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD),” held on the sidelines of the 61st Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank Group in Brazzaville, Dr. Njamnshi stressed that Africa’s transformation cannot succeed through exclusionary or top-down financial systems.
He highlighted the importance of building an African financial architecture rooted in sovereignty, accountability, inclusion, and community ownership. According to him, NAFAD presents an opportunity for Africa to rethink how development finance is mobilized, governed, and deployed in ways that directly respond to the realities of African communities.
Dr. Njamnshi underscored the strategic role of youth, women, grassroots movements, philanthropic institutions, and diaspora communities in driving sustainable development across the continent. He further called for stronger mechanisms to channel diaspora remittances, local savings, and philanthropic investments toward transformative development priorities including renewable energy, agriculture, health, digital innovation, and climate resilience.
The dialogue concluded with the adoption of the “Brazzaville Call,” a collective declaration endorsing NAFAD as a strategic framework for advancing inclusive and sustainable African development.
Participants committed to strengthening collaboration between institutions and communities while promoting transparency, measurable impact, and African-led development solutions.
Dr. Njamnshi welcomed the declaration as a major step toward ensuring that Africa’s development financing systems are designed not merely for growth statistics, but for the dignity, resilience, and prosperity of African people.
