African Development Bank launches up to USD 5.1 billion plan to counter energy and fertilizer shocks

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a new framework of up to USD 5.1 billion to mitigate the impact of the global energy and fertilizer crisis on African countries, according to a press release by the African Development Bank Group. The Global Energy And Fertilizer Crisis Response Framework (GEFCRF), approved on 1 September 2026, is designed to deliver timely, targeted support to address immediate needs and strengthen African member countries against future shocks. The response is temporary and valid for one year from the Board’s approval date, after which it will be reviewed before extending. The framework builds on the Bank’s COVID-19 Response Facility and the African Emergency Food Production Facility. It aims to provide relief while laying the foundations for stronger, more self-reliant, and resilient African economies.

The ongoing crisis in the Middle East continues to pose a significant external shock to African economies. This is reflected in rising global prices for energy, food, fertilizers, and other commodities on which many African countries remain heavily dependent and which they import massively. Disruptions to global trade routes and logistics, including key maritime corridors, are compounding these pressures. Such disruptions are increasing transport costs, delaying deliveries, and amplifying supply chain fragility. The GEFCRF has been designed to be demand-driven, with support tailored to specific vulnerability levels.

The framework will be financed through an additional USD 4.1 billion in African Development Bank lending and up to USD 960 million from the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending arm. The additional resources will raise the Bank’s 2026 lending target to approximately USD 12.7 billion. This will enable the Bank Group to provide targeted support to countries affected by the crisis. It will also strengthen resilience to future shocks. Support will combine appropriate financial and policy responses.

The GEFCRF will operate across four main pillars:

• Stabilise macroeconomic conditions: provide rapid counter-cyclical financing, short-term buffers, and coordinated fiscal, monetary, and debt policy responses during shocks.
• Secure critical food, energy and fertilizer supply systems: use emergency and trade finance to protect supplies, support vulnerable populations, in particular vulnerable women, and stabilise markets.
• Protect essential spending and vulnerable households: safeguard priority public expenditures and deploy targeted social protection for vulnerable groups, in particular women and youth.
• Sustain reforms for medium to long-term resilience building: preserve policy space to reduce dependence on volatile external markets and enhance fiscal resilience.

“This framework is about listening and responding to the urgent needs of African countries, helping them protect households and vulnerable populations, keep food, fertilizer and energy systems functioning, and preserve hard-won development gains while building greater resilience for the future,” said Abdul Kamara, Acting Vice President for Country and Regional Operations.

Martin Fregene, Officer in Charge Vice President for the Agriculture, Human and Social Development, noted that the framework offers a way to respond to pressures African farmers are facing as the conflict in the Middle East disrupts global trade.

“When fertilizer becomes too expensive or difficult to find, farmers use less and harvests can suffer,” he added.

Access to finance is presented as part of the solution to keep fertilizer moving to farmers. The Bank Group is also working to build stronger fertilizer markets and more local supply in Africa.