ONE is participating in the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings 2026 in Washington, DC, joining global leaders, policymakers, and economists to shape discussions on African debt, global health financing, and sustainable economic growth.
At the 2026 World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings, ONE is engaging across key issues that will define development priorities for Africa and the global economy.
Why this matters
The World Bank Spring Meetings 2026 and IMF Spring Meetings come at a critical moment:
- Global health programs require urgent and sustained financing.
- Many African countries face rising borrowing costs and debt sustainability challenges.
- Development finance decisions made now will shape economic growth across Africa – and therefore the world.
What ONE delivered at the Spring Meetings
- New data shaping the global conversation on African debt: ONE and the Rockefeller Foundation launched Priced Out, showing that borrowing costs for African countries rose 91% from 2020–2024, limiting access to affordable finance and squeezing investment in development. The analysis was cited by UN leadership and African policymakers and covered by outlets including Reuters, Bloomberg, and CNBC Africa.
- Advancing solutions on the cost of capital and development finance: ONE helped elevate the case for credit rating reform, concessional financing, and debt solutions that protect spending on health and economic growth, with findings actively used in high-level discussions across the World Bank and IMF meetings.
- Convening leaders across government, finance, and philanthropy: ONE hosted a series of high-level events bringing together African ministers, U.S. policymakers, development finance institutions, and private sector leaders, reinforcing our role as a trusted convener on global development.
- Driving progress on global health financing: ONE convened ministers and partners to support implementation of U.S.–Africa health partnerships and advance dialogue on domestic resource mobilization and sustainable health financing.
- Turning G20 commitments into action for Africa: In partnership with the African Union, ONE led a high-level “Solutions Talk” focused on translating G20 commitments into concrete steps on debt, cost of capital, and financial reform—bringing together ministers, ambassadors, and institutional leaders to focus on implementation.
- Unlocking investment and economic growth in Africa: Through private convenings with institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB) and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), ONE helped drive conversations on scaling investment and strengthening economic partnerships.
- Shaping global discussions on critical minerals and Africa’s role in supply chains: ONE co-hosted a roundtable with African leaders and international partners to advance more equitable approaches to critical minerals, investment, and global supply chains.
Events hosted by ONE
As part of the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings 2026, ONE is also convening a series of side events focused on global health financing, economic growth, and development finance in Africa.
- Convening African health and finance leaders on U.S.–Africa health partnerships. ONE is hosting a discussion with African Ministers of Health and Finance and U.S. partners on the future of global health financing and bilateral health agreements.
- Private convening with U.S. lawmakers and African leaders on energy and investment. ONE is bringing together U.S. policymakers, African ministers, and partners to discuss energy access, investment, and economic growth, including scaling initiatives like Mission 300.
- Africa–Europe Finance Ministers platform. ONE is co-convening African and European finance ministers to advance cooperation on development finance, economic growth, and Africa–Europe partnerships.
- Driving action on G20 commitments for Africa. ONE is co-hosting a session with the African Union focused on translating G20 commitments into concrete action, including implementation and accountability.
- Critical minerals and global partnerships roundtable. ONE is hosting a high-level discussion with African ministers, U.S. and EU stakeholders, and investors on critical minerals, investment, and Africa’s role in global supply chains.
- Global health systems and World Bank–WHO compacts (CSPF panel). ONE is co-hosting a session focused on strengthening health systems and financing, with an emphasis on delivering affordable, high-quality health services.
Our Focus at the Spring Meetings
Investing in lifesaving programs
ONE is engaging in discussions on global health financing, including innovative approaches to strengthening health systems across Africa.
- Focus: Global health financing, equity, and access
- Dates: April 14–15
- ONE role: Participant and contributor
These conversations build on recent ONE work exploring new models for health systems, including initiatives like health financing innovation in Africa.
Africa’s global contribution
ONE is participating in conversations on Africa’s role in the global economy, including investment, trade, and long-term growth.
- Focus: Economic growth, investment, and opportunity
- Dates: April 15
- ONE role: Partner and participant
This builds on ONE’s broader work to ensure Africa has a stronger voice in global decision-making and economic systems, as highlighted in moments like ONE’s engagement at UNGA on global financing.
Sustainable pathways to growth
ONE is contributing to discussions on African debt and the cost of capital, focusing on how global financial systems can better support sustainable development.
- Focus: African debt, cost of capital, development finance
- Dates: April 14–15
- ONE role: Convening and participating in policy discussions
These sessions connect to ONE’s ongoing analysis of the African debt crisis, including recent findings that debt service payments are outpacing investment flows in many countries recent analysis on debt and development finance, and broader calls for reform of the global financial system fair finance and debt justice in Africa.
What we’re watching
At the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings 2026, ONE is tracking:
- Progress on addressing the African debt crisis and cost of capital
- Signals on future global health financing commitments
- How institutions prioritize economic growth in Africa
Follow along
We’ll be sharing insights throughout the World Bank IMF meetings, including analysis on key outcomes and development priorities.
Explore more:
- Debt and development finance → latest debt stories and analysis
- Global health financing → ONE’s media and health financing work
Follow ONE’s experts at the IMF and World Bank meetings:
- Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, CEO. Follow Ndidi on LinkedIn.
- Elizabeth Hoffman, Executive Director, North America. Follow Elizabeth on LinkedIn.
- Elise Legault, Senior Director for Policy, North America. Follow Elise Legault on LinkedIn.
- Doug Anderson, Senior Director, US Government Relations. Follow Doug on LinkedIn.
