The African Development Bank announced on Thursday, December 17 that it has joined the Inclusive Green Growth Partnership, a new collaboration between the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), multilateral development banks and United Nations agencies to address policy barriers and promote social inclusion at the country level to accelerate financing for green growth projects. The Partnership was launched during the 21^stConference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris (COP21).

The African Development Bank (AfDB) will issue a grant of US $990,000 to finance three studies under an energy sector support programme in Swaziland. The objective of the programme is to provide technical assistance to Swaziland aimed at promoting investment in the electricity supply industry to expand reliable energy supplies and enhance the country’s electricity access rate. The Bank and the Government of Swaziland/Swaziland Electricity Company (SEC) will jointly finance the project, with the Bank’s funding representing 93.1% of the total project cost.

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) approved on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 in Abidjan the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) of the Arab Republic of Egypt for 2015/16-2019/20. The Board also approved a US $500 million loan entitled the Economic Governance and Energy Support Program (EGESP).

The country strategy was designed to support Egypt in its move towards accelerated inclusive growth and presents the plan for the AfDB’s strategic activities over the next four to five years in Egypt.

(from left to right) Oley Dibba-Wadda, ADEA Executive Secretary, and Eiro Yonezaki, JICA Chief Representative in Côte d’Ivoire

The Steering Committee of the 42^ndSession of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), held from December 3 to 5, 2015 at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) headquarters in Abidjan, was a major platform for discussions on renewed partnerships.

The Africa Day side event was held during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 20) to deliberate on the forthcoming agreement on climate change to be concluded in Paris during COP 21, in particular its implications for the continent, including how important issues pertaining to adaptation, climate finance, women and youth can be properly addressed. It was a timely opportunity to underline Africa’s concerns and priorities.