The African Development Bank (AfDB) would start relocating staff to its original headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire before the end of 2013, the bank’s president, Donald Kaberuka, said this week.

In an emailed statement, Kaberuka said the relocation of the institution to its headquarters to Abidjan, would celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in November next year in Côte d’Ivoire.

The AfDB moved to Tunis, Tunisia, during the 2002 to 2007 civil war in Côte d’Ivoire.

Then bank held about $32.25.billion in assets in 2012, provide funding to government and businesses in Africa. It issued loans and grants worth 6.46billion last year.

The decision follows the approval of the roadmap prepared by the bank’s management for the return to Côte d’Ivoire, the statement said. The plan sets out details for an organised return of the bank to its headquarters and focuses on the institution’s stability, business continuity, and the wellbeing of staff and their families.