The African Development Bank (AfDB) has allocated about $100 million to support healthcare, agriculture and other essential services in Sudan as the country seeks to revive international development financing disrupted by years of political instability and conflict.
Sudan’s Finance Ministry announced the funding following talks in Khartoum on September 15, 2026, between State Minister for Finance Mohamed Nour Abdel-Daim and the AfDB’s Country Manager for Sudan, David Muthusi Mutuku. The discussions focused on restarting stalled international assistance, monitoring grant disbursements and strengthening public financial management.
Sudan has faced severe economic challenges since fighting erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has disrupted supply chains, weakened government revenues and contributed to a sharp contraction in economic activity.
According to the Finance Ministry, the AfDB funding portfolio includes 19 million Units of Account (UA) for healthcare, 19 million UA for water, 6 million UA for education and 29 million UA for other services, in addition to financing for agriculture. One AfDB Unit of Account is equivalent to the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights.
Sudanese authorities are also seeking international financing for electricity and energy projects estimated at more than $500 million. The ministry urged development partners to prioritise projects considered economically viable and capable of attracting financing.
Mutuku said the AfDB had begun internal consultations to assess the possibility of incorporating electricity projects into its financing pipeline. He stressed that potential funding would depend on the readiness of the projects and comprehensive feasibility studies.
The two sides also agreed to pursue the recovery of a stalled $18 million grant originally earmarked for the International Fund for Agricultural Development. A joint technical committee is expected to be established, while a specialised AfDB assessment mission will also be requested.
Sudan’s access to international development financing has been constrained since the 2021 military coup, with the subsequent conflict further disrupting support from major international donors.
Abdel-Daim said the Finance Ministry was engaging the World Bank’s legal department in an effort to have Sudan’s administrative classification as a “de facto government” lifted. He said authorities were providing official documentation on state institutions as part of efforts to pave the way for a technical mission and the eventual resumption of development financing.
The Tuesday talks also covered public financial management reforms, including efforts to introduce International Public Sector Accounting Standards with support from a grant from the Pan African Federation of Accountants. Authorities are also pursuing fiscal governance measures aimed at reducing tax and customs evasion.