Within the framework of his official visit to Togo, African Development Bank Group President, Donald Kaberuka, accompanied by his close advisers, was received on Friday, March 1, 2013 in Lomé by the country's President, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé.

Kaberuka and President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé discussed issues related to cooperation between the AfDB and Togo, as well to the socio-economic situation in the West African sub-region, and to Togo, in particular. They expressed their concerns about youth employment in Africa and in the world as a whole.

This meeting was held alongside the inaugural ceremony of the Togo Field Office (TGFO) of the AfDB taking place on the same day. Placed under the patronage of Togo's Prime Minister, Kwesi Séléagodji Ahoomey-Zunu, the opening ceremony of the Field Office was marked by the presence of eminent personalities including members of the Government, diplomatic and consular corps, development partners and private sector representatives.

In his address, President Kaberuka underscored the current state of insecurity in the Sahel, and called on the government to strengthen and preserve peace and national integrity in order to meet the socio-economic challenges faced by the country. He also pointed out that the TGFO should be the country's channel to attain Togo's development objectives, poverty reduction and inclusive growth which are the major objectives of the AfDB.

During his visit, President Kaberuka paid a courtesy call on Togo's Economic and Finance Minister, Adji Otèth Ayassor, who also as AfDB Governor, and reviewed the state of implementation of the various AfDB-financed projects in the country. The president also met with the West African Development Bank's President, Christian Narcisse Adovelande. Cooperation between both institutions was at the heart of the discussions.