Marie-Laure Akin Orgbard, Senior Vice President of the African Development Bank Group (https://AfDB.org/), participated in the 5th Geneva International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum), held last month by the Swiss Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Agency.
Mr. Akin-Orugbard participated in the High-Level Panel on “Private Sector Partnerships in the Humanitarian Context” held during the Forum held at the Geneva International Conference Center, Switzerland, on February 26-27, 2026. Along with the Senior Vice President, the panel included key private sector stakeholders and experts.
Ambassador Pietro Lazzeri, Head of Economic Cooperation and Development at the Swiss National Economic Secretariat (SECO), stated the terms of the discussion: “In a global context of diminishing resources, there is a need to scale up the financing and implementation of humanitarian aid. But how can we involve the private sector in the solution?” he asked. Mr. Lazzeri, Governor of the Swiss Bank, moderated the session.
For participants, it was essential that the private sector adhere to the principles of humanitarian response based on a shared responsibility approach. The two leaders also emphasized that cooperation with the private sector should not replace cooperation with states, but should strengthen it.
Ms. Akin Olugabade added: “Behind every crisis is market collapse and job loss.”
In Africa, where nearly 80% of the population works in the private sector, businesses are at the center of crises, whether for prevention, stabilization or recovery. Panelists also called for more funding, provided it is held accountable and does not incite conflict.
Ms. Akin Olugbad introduced the World Bank Group’s approach to complement humanitarian workers by intervening at the right time and using the right tools, rather than replacing them.
In Madagascar, for example, more than 300 small and medium-sized enterprises (VSEMEs) now have access to previously unavailable bank loans through the Transition Support Scheme. In Sudan, despite ongoing conflict, our partnership with DAL Group is contributing to stabilizing the country’s agricultural value chain. And in the Sahel, collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) demonstrates how the World Bank Group combines financial products with on-the-ground humanitarian expertise.
These interventions are designed to complement the efforts of all stakeholders and aim to revitalize local economies, restore essential services and reduce the risk of a recurrence of the crisis. Synergy between humanitarian actors, the private sector and multilateral development banks is the key to a truly sustainable response, according to Akin Olugbad.
In conclusion, participants unanimously agreed that the private sector cannot be reduced to the role of a mere donor; its expertise and capacity for innovation make it a full partner in humanitarian work, as long as this cooperation is structured, responsible and rooted in the realities on the ground.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
