Canada

Background

Canada joined the African Development Fund (ADF) on 23 May 1973 and the ADB on 30 December 1982. Canada's contribution to ADF XI (2008-11) amounted to CND 302 million, ranking fifth among contributing countries.

Canada's cooperation with the Bank Group is at three levels: ADF replenishment, Bilateral Trust Fund and the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI).

Furthermore, Canada contributes through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to five multilateral funds in the water, infrastructure and education sectors, as well as the secondment of a special adviser to support its programmes.

This multi-level cooperation reflects Canada's commitment to double its assistance to Africa and its efforts to reduce poverty.

In order to enhance aid effectiveness, Canada was one of the first countries to sign a technical assistance agreement, comprising 100% untied aid, with the ADB.

Joint Initiatives

More than 60 projects and activities have been implemented through the Canada Fund. The fifth Canadian Trust Fund, approved in March 2008, is primarily intended to build ADB capacity and promote good governance, regional economic integration, private sector development, environmental protection and the promotion of gender equity.

The Canada Fund targets activities that are considered priority and has helped spur ADB’s commitment to results-based management. In particular, the Fund supported the visionary private sector initiative, “African Financing Partnership”, an innovative concept of financial partnership for Africa.

Official Agreements and Financial Contributions

• The new Trust Fund agreement, signed in March 2008, amounted to CND 5 million. This totals over CND 35 million for five Canadian technical assistance fund agreements between the ADB and CIDA since 1973.
• Since the establishment of NEPAD’s Infrastructure Project Preparation Fund (NEPAD-IPPF) in 2003, Canada became the first country to contribute up to CND 10 million to the Fund.
• Canada was also the first country to provide support to the African Water Facility by contributing CND 20 million since establishment of this Facility in 2004.
• Recognizing the importance of integrated water resources management, Canada has contributed a total amount of CND 5 million to the Water Partnership Programme (WPP).
• Canada supported the establishment in 2005 of the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA) with a sum of CND 99 000.
• In August 2008, Canada renewed its support to the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), by supporting the migration of a new agreement worth CND 4.8 million from ADEA to the ADB.

Focal Point for partnership and cooperation with Canada

Belinda Chesire
Senior Cooperation Officer
Partnerships and Cooperation Unit (ORRU)
Tel: (216) 71 10 3611