Strategies on Cross Cutting Issues

Abstract: The Boards of Directors of the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund approved the Bank Group’s strategic and operational framework for regional operations during their Informal Session of 19 February 2008. This framework is intended to provide a rigorous but flexible approach to mobilize resources for regional integration in Africa. It is an important building block of the Bank Group’s broader strategy to promote regional integration, which includes advisory and analytical services, capacity building for countries and continental and regional organizations, and the use of ADB resources where appropriate. The framework is anchored in the strong consensus that greater regional integration is a key means for Africa to enhance growth and development, and address common development challenges. The Bank Group sees the financing of Regional Operations as a core element of its development mandate, and these Operations will be selective and focus primarily on two areas: (i) infrastructure, particularly transportation but also energy, water and telecommunication; and (ii) promotion of regional public goods.