What are the official working languages of the African Development Bank (AfDB)?

Introduction / Context:
The African Development Bank (AfDB) serves a linguistically diverse continent, and therefore it must operate in more than one official language to communicate with member states and stakeholders. This question tests awareness of the bank's official working languages.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The organisation is the African Development Bank.
• The options list English, French, English and French, and None of these.
• The question asks which languages are official for the AfDB.
• We assume the widely accepted pair of working languages for the institution.

Concept / Approach:
Because African countries include both Anglophone and Francophone states, many continental institutions adopt both English and French as official languages. The AfDB follows this pattern and recognises both English and French as its official working languages, ensuring inclusive communication across the region.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that many African regional bodies operate in both English and French due to colonial language legacies.Step 2: From institutional profiles, remember that AfDB explicitly lists English and French as official languages.Step 3: Check the options: single language options “English” and “French” are incomplete compared to the actual bilingual practice.Step 4: The option “English and French” correctly reflects the bank's working language policy.Step 5: Therefore, select “English and French”.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official AfDB documents, websites and exam oriented materials frequently specify that the bank works in both English and French. Some sources may also mention the growing use of additional languages at meetings, but the core official working languages remain English and French, confirming this option as the one expected in exams.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
English: Although widely used, choosing only English ignores the large Francophone membership and does not match official descriptions.

French: Similarly incomplete, as many members and documents rely on English.

None of these: Incorrect because the correct combination “English and French” is explicitly provided as option c.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may over simplify and choose English because it is a global lingua franca. Others might think French alone because the bank is headquartered in a Francophone country. Understanding the bilingual nature of AfDB operations is crucial: both languages are needed to serve member states fairly.

Final Answer:
The African Development Bank uses English and French as its official working languages.