South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the African Development Bank (AfDB) following the formal presentation of the Letter of Appointment by Dr Kennedy K. Mbekani, the newly appointed Director General of the AfDB Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office.
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Mr Alvin Botes received the Letter of Appointment from Dr Mbekani on 16 September 2026. The presentation marked his formal accreditation in South Africa and provided an opportunity to reinforce cooperation between South Africa and the continental development finance institution.
Strengthening South Africa–AfDB Cooperation
According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the formal accreditation creates an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation between South Africa and the African Development Bank.
The partnership is particularly relevant to areas including regional development, economic growth, infrastructure investment and inclusive development across Southern Africa.
The African Development Bank plays an important role in supporting development priorities across the continent through financing, policy engagement, infrastructure development and economic cooperation.
For South Africa, engagement with the AfDB forms part of broader efforts to advance economic diplomacy and strengthen partnerships that contribute to regional development.
Focus on Regional Development and Infrastructure
The Southern Africa region continues to face significant development priorities, including infrastructure gaps, economic integration, investment mobilisation and the need to expand opportunities for inclusive economic participation.
Cooperation between South Africa and the AfDB can provide a platform for advancing discussions around infrastructure investment and regional economic development.
The formal accreditation of Dr Mbekani therefore comes at a time when regional cooperation remains important to efforts aimed at supporting sustainable economic growth and development.
Economic Diplomacy and Investment
The engagement also highlights the connection between diplomacy and economic development.
Economic diplomacy increasingly involves government institutions working with development finance institutions, investors, businesses and regional partners to identify opportunities that can contribute to trade, investment, infrastructure development and job creation.
For South Africa, stronger engagement with continental institutions such as the AfDB can support efforts to identify and advance opportunities that have regional economic significance.
Dr Kennedy K. Mbekani’s Regional Role
Dr Kennedy K. Mbekani is associated with the African Development Bank’s work on economic and regional development. Earlier AfDB documentation identifies Mbekani in connection with the Bank’s South Africa operations and regional economic research.
His appointment to the Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office places the office within an important regional framework focused on development and business delivery.
The formal presentation of his Letter of Appointment consequently represents both an accreditation process and an opportunity to strengthen institutional engagement between South Africa and the AfDB.
Strengthening Continental Partnerships
South Africa’s relationship with the African Development Bank forms part of the country’s wider engagement with African multilateral institutions and partners.
As African countries seek to increase intra-African trade, infrastructure connectivity and investment, development finance institutions remain important partners in supporting projects and programmes that can contribute to regional integration.
The South Africa–AfDB relationship therefore has relevance beyond bilateral engagement, particularly where cooperation contributes to wider Southern African development priorities.
