Lisbon, March 25, 2026 (Lusa) - The deputy director of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Jose Ribeiro, warned Guinea-Bissau authorities on Wednesday about "persistent delays" in submitting execution reports for projects funded in the country.
The AfDB official for West African countries issued the warning at the opening of a meeting to evaluate the performance and execution of projects funded in Guinea-Bissau, broadcast by local media.
The AfDB has 15 projects underway in Guinea-Bissau, including 10 of a national nature, meaning they are implemented directly in the country, and five at a sub-regional level that will benefit the Bissau-Guinean population.
According to José Ribeiro, the projects are executed in the transport, agriculture, social development (education and health), energy, and economic development sectors, with an approximate budget of US$240 million (€207 million).
The official noted that 88% of this amount consists of grants in the form of subsidies and 12% in the form of loans.
The AfDB deputy director for West Africa highlighted that the projects constitute the development priorities proposed by Guinea-Bissau. However, he said, there are constraints, specifically "persistent delays in the submission of audit reports."
Ribeiro stated that, in extreme cases, the situation could lead to the suspension of fund disbursements, a measure that, he emphasised, the AfDB would not like to take, "considering the context of Guinea-Bissau."
Guinea-Bissau's Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Integration, Mamadu Djaló, argued that the AfDB projects represent an opportunity to boost the country's economic and social development.
Djaló considered, however, that there are challenges to overcome regarding fund disbursements and acknowledged the need for improvements in project monitoring mechanisms.
*** The Lusa agency delegation in Guinea-Bissau has been suspended since August following the government's expulsion of Portuguese media representatives. Coverage is being handled remotely ***
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