Netherlands

Background

The Netherlands joined the ADB in 1983 and the ADF 1973. In December 2007, The Netherlands announced a doubling of its support to the ADF XI (2008-10) by pledging Euros 225.35 million.  The main themes that feature in the Dutch Development Cooperation for 2007 - 2010 include:

  • security and development (fragile states),
  • economic growth and equity,
  • more rights and opportunities for women, with a special focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and
  • climate, sustainability and energy.

Annually, the Netherlands allocates 0.8% of its GNP to poverty reduction (0.1% of which goes to the environment). Half of this allocation goes to Africa, particularly through a regional approach, where The Netherlands contributes towards conflict resolution in the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa. This is because it considers that peace and security are crucial to development.

Joint Initiatives

The Netherlands has provided various bilateral support to the Bank’s operations through the financial and in-kind contributions to Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs); Water Sector Programme (Bilateral Water Partnership Program - WPP);  Investment in Alternative Energy Programme-FINESSE; the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative (RWSSI); Infrastructure Development; Private Sector and Regional Integration Activities; and Making Finance Work for Africa Secretariat (MFW4A).

Formal agreements and financial contributions

  • In 1994, a general cooperation arrangement was signed between the Bank and The Netherlands.  Based on this cooperation framework, both parties have officially exchanged letters for the following:
    • Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers – PRSPs (USD 1.4 million) in November 2001.
    • Water Sector Programme -WPP (USD 5 million) in August 2002.
    • Investment in Alternative Energy Programme-FINESSE - (USD 5.3 million) in May 2002.
    • Infrastructure, Private Sector and Regional Integration Activities (EURO 2.1 million) in December 2007.  
  • The Multi-Donor Grant Agreement for RWSSI – The Netherlands signed the Agreement for contribution of Euros 25 million in September 2006.
  • MFW4A – Letter was signed in December 2008 for contribution of Euros 100,000 to support the Secretariat.  
  • The AfDB and the Netherlands are negotiating a Memorandum of Agreement for the secondment of a Dutch expert to the Bank’s Fragile States Unit (OSFU) for a two-year period.

Focal point for the Netherlands cooperation:

Chioma ONUKOGU
Principal Cooperation Officer
Partnerships and Cooperation Unit (ORRU)
Email: c.onukogu@afdb.org
Tel: (216) 71 10 2554

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