AfDB headquarters moved back to Abidjan

The headquarters of African Development (AfDB) has been returned to Abidjan, capital of Cote d'Voire.

The Boards of Governors of continent's finance institution and of the African Development Fund (ADF) announced the return on Wednesday.

The decision was made public during the Bank's Annual Meetings held in Marrakech (Morocco) from 27th to 31st May 2013, following the approval of the roadmap prepared by Bank's management for the return of the institution to Côte d'Ivoire.

The Board of Directors of the AfDB Group had instructed its management during the Annual Meeting held in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2012 to prepare a roadmap for a well-planned and organized return of the Bank to its headquarters.

It said the roadmap should guarantee the institution's stability, business continuity, and the well-being of staff and their families.

Consenting to the roadmap, the AfDB's Advisory Committee of Governors, meeting in Tokyo, Japan, in October 2012, recommended its approval by the Board of Governors, thus opening the way for the return to Abidjan.

According to the President of the AfDB, Donald Kaberuka, 'the first group of staff will leave before the end of 2013. The AfDB will celebrate its 50th anniversary in November 2014 in Abidjan'.