Record of Updates from Members 

PEAC’s Zeph Nhleko participates in launch of African Journal on Development Finance

06 November 2026

The Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AADFI) launches the continent's journal dedicated to development finance research, knowledge generation and policy dialogue during its CEO Forum in Maseru, Lesotho, from 4 - 6 November 2026.

The launch of the AADFI Journal of Development Finance is facilitated by the AADFI Economists Forum, a substructure established in 2024 to provide a platform for the continent's economists, researchers and development finance practitioners to advance inclusive economic development through structured dialogue, collaborative research, peer-reviewed publications and knowledge-sharing partnerships.

“The AADFI Journal of Development Finance gives Africa a stronger voice in shaping continental and global development policy debates. It provides a dedicated platform for research into critical areas such as development banking, infrastructure finance, industrialisation, climate and green finance, financial inclusion, digital transformation, agricultural finance, public policy, risk management and emerging development challenges,” says Zeph Nhleko, Chairperson of the AADFI Economists Forum.

Through this Journal, we aim to address gaps in development finance research on the continent by bringing together policymakers, researchers, academics and practitioners to generate evidence-based insights that inform policy, strengthen institutional practice and support Africa's development priorities. To ensure academic rigour and credibility, the Journal adopts a peer-review process, with an editorial governance structure overseen by the AADFI Economists Forum Executive Committee. It also serves as a platform for practitioner-oriented research, case studies, policy papers and collaborative research emerging from AADFI member institutions.

The launch marks a significant milestone in the growth of the AADFI Economists Forum and its contribution to strengthening development finance knowledge, research and policy dialogue across Africa. It also represents an important step towards building a stronger body of African-generated evidence to inform the policies, financing approaches and institutional decisions that shape the continent's development trajectory.

Meeting Africa's annual infrastructure investment needs requires more than mobilising capital; it also requires a deeper understanding of the continent's diverse economic realities, the structural barriers to development and the policy and financing interventions needed to address them.

Nhleko says the Journal contributes to strengthening this evidence base and supports more informed development finance decisions.

“I am confident that, through this Journal, we can strengthen the evidence base underpinning Africa's policy and development finance decisions. By generating and sharing research that reflects the continent's realities, African development finance institutions can identify shared priorities, develop more effective financing approaches and contribute to sustainable, inclusive growth and the continent's long-term prosperity.”