Denmark

Partnership overview

The bilateral relations between the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group and Denmark date back to 1973 when Denmark became a member of the African Development Fund (ADF). Denmark joined the African Development Bank (AfDB) on 30 December 1982. As of today three Technical Cooperation Agreements have been signed with Denmark.

Denmark supported the 2010 General Capital Increase VI and ADF XII replenishment of the African Development Bank Group.

The new development strategy of Denmark is based on partnerships, strengthening international cooperation on global challenges, EU, engaging with fewer countries with priority to Africa and ensuring better results. Denmark’s contribution to the private sector in Africa will be doubled over the next years.

Denmark has contributed to AfDB’s work in the various sectors. Since 2008, AfDB and Denmark are working together to design and implement two initiatives of the African Commission for Africa to increase access to investment finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Access to Sustainable Energy in Africa.

Denmark hosted the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen in December 2009. AfDB was called upon to host and administer Copenhagen Green Climate Fund for Africa.

Denmark is also committed to doubling its gender-related aid allocations by 2010, with a focus on Africa.

Joint Initiatives

The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is contributing to the NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD IPPF). NEPAD identified the lack of robust infrastructure as a significant hindrance to economic growth and poverty reduction on the continent. The NEPAD Steering Committee appointed the African Development Bank (AfDB) as its Technical Advisor to advise on effective strategies for bridging Africa’s compelling infrastructure divide.
Denmark is contributing with the AfDB and other donors to the Zimbabwe Trust Fund. Through this Fund AfDB and other partners will contribute to early recovery and development efforts in Zimbabwe. In December 2009, Denmark approved an urgent Water Supply and Sanitation Rehabilitation Project in Zimbabwe, co-financed with the AfDB.
Denmark and AfDB are designing “The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa” (SEFA) that will be hosted by AfDB. The Fund will provide technical assistance for the preparation of bankable renewable energy projects. It could also include grid-connected electricity generation utilising wind, hydro, geo-thermal, bio-fuel and waste incineration.
Denmark and AfDB are launching the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) to foster the growth of financial resources available for the investment needs of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and for capacity development of financial institutions.
Denmark will also support the climate change agenda in Africa through a financial contribution to the Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa).
A Technical Assistance in Energy and Trade at AfDB is being supported by Denmark.