Support to the African Development Fund - 13th Replenishment - II

This grant represents Canada’s long-term institutional support to the 13th replenishment of the African Development Fund which is managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The AfDB’s African Development Fund uses these funds along with other donors’ funding to achieve its mandate. Through this Fund the AfDB provides concessionary financing such as grants and low-interest loans to the poorest and most vulnerable African countries. The Fund’s strategic priorities for the 13th replenishment are: (1) infrastructure development; (2) regional integration; (3) private sector development; (4) governance and accountability; and (5) skills and technology. The Fund also pays particular attention to supporting fragile states promoting food security and agricultural productivity and promoting gender equality. The African Development Bank helps to reduce poverty improve living conditions and mobilize resources for the sustainable economic and social development of its 53 African-country members. It promotes cooperation (including regional and sub-regional cooperation) and international trade particularly among its African-member states. This initiative represents one of two parts of Canada’s support to the 13th replenishment of the African Development Fund (the second part of Canada’s support is represented by project M-013882-001).

The expected outcomes as stated by the African Development Bank’s African Development Fund include: (1) helping African economies grow inclusively (roads constructed rehabilitated or maintained; access to transport; power capacity and electricity connections; access to basic information/communication technology services); (2) connecting people and economies (cross-border roads and transmission lines constructed or rehabilitated); (3) helping businesses thrive (microcredit; jobs created; improved water management; improvements in agriculture); (4) investing in people (vocational training; access to education; access to health services; drinking water and sanitation); (5) promoting effective governance and participation (budgetary and financial management; the civil service; procurement systems).