The summit of African Heads of State and Government for the implementation of the program of the International Development Association (IDA) financing opened on Thursday in Dakar, Senegal.

The IDA 20 cycle or the twentieth replenishment of the Association's resources, covers the period from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025, with 39 countries, according to the World Bank.

Regional leaders including Presidents Muhammad Buhari of Nigeria, George Weah of Liberia, Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio, and President Umaro Sissoko Embalo of Guinea Bissau graced the occasion.

Others are president Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan as well as several African vice-presidents and prime ministers taking part in the meeting.

Chair of the African Union, President Macky Sall of Senegal said the IDA 20 is a bright spot in the gloom.

He was speaking through an interpreter.