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The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a financing framework that could mobilise up to US$5.06 billion to help African countries manage rising energy, food and fertiliser costs linked to the global crisis.
The Global Energy and Fertilizer Crisis Response Framework (GEFCRF), approved on September 1, 2026, is aimed at providing short-term support to countries facing immediate economic pressures while strengthening their capacity to withstand future external shocks.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the framework comprises an additional US$4.1 billion in African Development Bank lending and up to US$960 million from the African Development Fund, the Bank’s concessional financing arm.
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The additional financing will increase the Bank Group’s 2026 lending target to about US$12.7 billion.
The AfDB said the facility came at a time when disruptions associated with the conflict in the Middle East are contributing to higher global prices for energy, food, fertiliser and other commodities.
The situation is particularly significant for African economies that depend heavily on imported fuel, food and agricultural inputs.
AfDB acting vice-president for Country and Regional Operations, Abdul Kamara, said the framework would support countries in maintaining essential services and protecting vulnerable populations during the crisis.
Agriculture, Human and Social Development acting vice-president, Martin Fregene, said rising fertiliser prices could affect agricultural production if farmers reduced their use of the input.
He said access to financing could help businesses continue supplying fertiliser to farmers while efforts were made to strengthen local fertiliser markets and production capacity.
The framework will operate on a demand-driven basis, with financing and policy support tailored to the specific vulnerabilities of individual member countries.
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