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At the ongoing 2026 World Bank Group–IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, @DCP_Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, participated in the African Caucus Meeting with the President of the World Bank Group, Mr. Ajay Banga. The high-level discussions focused on Africa’s key development priorities, including mobilising private capital to unlock greater investment, creating sustainable jobs for Africa’s growing youth population through skills development and support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and accelerating industrialisation, mineral beneficiation and local value addition. Emphasis was also placed on developing strategic economic corridors to drive infrastructure development, regional integration, private investment and industrialisation, while creating sustainable jobs, particularly for Africa’s youth. The African Caucus further underscored the need to scale up investment and development financing for Africa, including through IDA22, to advance structural economic transformation and inclusive growth. In his remarks, President Ajay Banga emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration with and through the African Union, rather than pursuing fragmented initiatives across the continent. He highlighted the commitment of the World Bank Group and IMF leadership to a more coordinated and strategic approach to engagement with Africa, while acknowledging the strong commitment of the new African Union Commission leadership to strengthening cooperation with the World Bank Group and the AU’s central role in advancing continental development priorities. The @_AfricanUnion remains committed to deepening its strategic partnership with the @WorldBankGroup to translate Africa’s priorities into tangible investments, sustainable jobs and greater economic opportunities for its people, in line with #Agenda2063. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/20261014/deputy-ch... #WBGMeetings #IMFMeetings #AfricanCaucus #AfricanUnion #InvestInAfrica #JobsForAfrica #PrivateCapitalMobilisation