As preparations continue for the African Development Bank Group's 2026 Annual Meetings, the Congolese authorities, in close collaboration with Bank teams remain fully and actively mobilised to ensure a safe, secure, and seamless experience for all participants in Brazzaville. To enable the broadest possible attendance, the Bank has adopted a hybrid format, allowing every delegate to participate fully in the proceedings regardless of travel and logistical conditions.
The Bank continues to closely and proactively monitor reports of the localized outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which has understandably raised questions, particularly for international participants planning to travel to Brazzaville. The Bank is continuously reviewing and adjusting its preparedness measures in strict alignment with evolving guidance from the relevant national, regional and international health authorities.
As of 21 May 2026, no confirmed or suspected case of Ebola has been reported in the Republic of Congo, and Brazzaville remains unaffected by the outbreak currently concentrated in the north-eastern part of the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Comprehensive risk assessments conducted in collaboration with health authorities, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization--whose regional office is based in Brazzaville--and Bank teams conclude that the direct public health risk to the Annual Meetings is low.
Enhanced prevention and surveillance measures are fully operational. These include rigorous health screening at points of entry, including the international airport, temperature checks, reinforced hygiene and sanitation protocols, and well-established rapid-response procedures for immediate detection, isolation and medical referral of any person presenting possible symptoms.
Mindful that some countries have introduced travel restrictions to or from affected areas, the Bank Group has deployed a state-of-the-art livestreaming and remote-participation facility. Affected delegates will be able to follow the proceedings in full, intervene in sessions and access key documents in real time, ensuring seamless continuity with participants on the ground in Brazzaville.
At this stage, no travel restrictions to Brazzaville have been advised, nor has any measure preventing the holding of the Annual Meetings been recommended by international health authorities. The Bank maintains an elevated level of vigilance with comprehensive alert systems and business-continuity mechanisms ready to be activated should conditions change. Participants will be promptly and transparently informed of any developments liable to affect their travel, arrival or the conduct of the Annual Meetings.
The health, safety and well-being of participants, staff, partners and host communities remain the Bank's paramount priority. The Annual Meetings are being prepared in a spirit of vigilance, transparency and responsibility, ensuring every delegate can take part - whether in person or remotely--with full confidence and peace of mind.
