Spain

Partnership overview

The partnership between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Spain is based on the 2006-08 Aid policy which focused on governance, poverty reduction, regulation of migratory flows, economic exchanges and investment and cultural cooperation.

New areas have been added to the 2009-2012 Africa Plan to include regional cooperation, reinforcement of multilateralism, participation/creation of specific funds, gender issues and human rights.

Spain’s cooperation with the Bank will focus on Multi donor Trust Funds and support to statutory resources.

In July 2009, the Bank and Spain signed a bilateral trust fund agreement on Microfinance. This partnership has since evolved into a Multi-Donor Microfinance Capacity Building Trust Fund.

In 2009, Spain has become part of a group of main donors to global initiatives that have targeted Sub-Saharan Africa as a priority, with specific funds focused on the region. Spain intends to promote investment in Africa and priority will be given to investment in infrastructure. Algeria, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique,

Senegal, Cape Verde and Niger were identified as priority countries in Afri

Joint Initiatives

• The Technical Cooperation Agreement was renewed on an untied basis in June 2009 with a focus on Private Sector Development, Public Utilities, Transport and Environment. Activities supported are project identification, preparation, evaluation, studies and experts.
• Microfinance Trust Fund: Spain will support the Microfinance Trust Fund through 2009-11. Under the Fund, special emphasis will be placed on targeting women entrepreneurs while promoting an inclusive approach, making the most of new technologies and attracting other funding agencies to Africa.
• In October 2008, Spain pledged its contribution to the African Water Facility.
• Spain has invested in the Africa Guarantee Fund to develop SME financing in Africa.
• Spain proposes to invest in the Africa Agriculture Fund (AAF) launched during the financial crisis of 2009.
• There is currently one Spanish Technical Assistant working at the Bank.
• Co-financing activities in sectors such as renewable energy, transport, ICT, water, waste treatment, environment, infrastructure and renewable energy are currently focused in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Angola and Kenya.

Contact

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