Category: Africa

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Launches Regional E-Commerce Committee to Accelerate Digital Trade Integration

Source: APO


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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially launched the Regional E-Commerce Committee, marking another milestone in the implementation of the ECOWAS Regional E-Commerce Strategy (2023–2027) on Wednesday July 16th, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. The launch was immediately followed by the Committee’s first meeting, which brought together representatives from Member States and Community institutions.

In his opening remarks during the launch ceremony, Dr. Tony Luka Elumelu, the Acting Director of Private Sector, ECOWAS Commission highlighted the private sector as both a key driver and beneficiary of digital transformation. He stressed the significance of e-commerce in unlocking opportunities under African Continental Free Trade Agreement and called for robust implementation of digital reforms. He described the establishment of the Regional E-Commerce Committee as pivotal to fostering private-sector-led digital economies.

Madam Sally Koroma, the representative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chair of the Meeting emphasized the potential of e-commerce to boost inclusive growth. She highlighted the importance of harmonized regulations, secure infrastructure, digital literacy, and tailored financing to unlock the full benefits of digital trade. She commended the ECOWAS E-Commerce Strategy as critical to addressing these barriers and called for collective action among Member States, development partners, and the private sector to move from ambition to implementation, and build an inclusive, gender-responsive digital economy.

In his goodwill message, Mr. Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) congratulated ECOWAS on its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of regional cooperation. He celebrated the adoption of the ECOWAS Regional E-Commerce Strategy and highlighted the role of digitalisation in realizing ECOWAS Vision 2050. He reaffirmed UNCTAD’s commitment to support digital reform, encourage inclusive digital ecosystems, and advance women’s economic empowerment within the region. He closed with a call to action to make e-commerce a driver of prosperity, innovation, and regional unity.

In the keynote address, on behalf of Madame Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mr. Kolawole SOFOLA, Director of Trade of the ECOWAS Commission, underscored the significance of the launch of the Regional E-Commerce Committee during the 50th Anniversary celebrations of ECOWAS, noting the progress that had been made in advancing regional integration and the opportunities that lay ahead through digitalisation. He emphasized that the Committee would serve as a platform for implementing strategic goals, aligning policies, and accelerating digital trade across borders.

Mr. Sofola called for continued collaboration across all stakeholders to realise the Strategy’s vision of an inclusive and sustainable digital future for West Africa. Finally, he declared the ECOWAS Regional E-Commerce Committee launched.

The newly established Committee is a central feature of the governance framework outlined in the ECOWAS E-Commerce Strategy, which was adopted by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in July 2023. It is designed to steer the implementation of digital trade reforms, foster inter-institutional coordination, and promote inclusive participation across the region, particularly of women, youth, and MSMEs.

The launch and first meeting were attended by representatives of the Ministries responsible for Trade from ECOWAS Member States and the internal working group on e-commerce, consisting of key directorates and agencies of the ECOWAS Commission. Prior to the launch, the internal working group on e-commerce received a training on the e-Trade Reform Tracker, a tool for monitoring implementation of the E-Commerce Strategy. Both activities were supported by the UNCTAD and the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP) funded by World Bank.

The meeting considered the overview of the ECOWAS E-Commerce Strategy, continental and regional digital initiatives as well as key initiatives from Member States in advancing e-commerce. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the terms of reference for the Committee and a call for continued collaboration among ECOWAS Member States to promote implementation of the E-Commerce Strategy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Champions Women-Led Digital Trade in West Africa

Source: APO


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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and with the support of the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP) funded by World Bank, convened an eTrade for Women Joint Workshop in Lagos, on Friday July 17th, 2025, to spotlight and strengthen the role of women-led digital businesses in regional trade. This event was held as part of a broader regional agenda to build a more inclusive, connected, and digitally enabled West Africa.

In his statement on behalf of Madame Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mr. Kolawole SOFOLA, Director of Trade at the ECOWAS Commission, welcomed participants and noted the event’s importance in advancing inclusive digital transformation. He highlighted that the ECOWAS E-Commerce Strategy, adopted by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in July 2023, places women, youth, and small-scale producers at the centre of digital trade reforms to promote regional integration and inclusive development. Through platforms and dialogues such as the workshop, ECOWAS reaffirms its commitment to gender-responsive policymaking and sustainable digital trade development in West Africa.

In her opening remarks, Madam Sonia NNAGOZIE, the representative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) highlighted the role of digital trade in unlocking new opportunities for women entrepreneurs across West Africa. She echoed the importance of the workshop in delivering actionable recommendations to improve women’s participation in digital trade. She went on to commend ECOWAS for leading the way in building an enabling digital ecosystem that supports women and appreciated the ongoing partnership between UNCTAD and ECOWAS.

The workshop served as a platform for dialogue, policy coordination, and knowledge sharing. Participants discussed the structural and policy barriers women face in participating in the digital economy, and shared practical solutions and good practices that promote women’s digital empowerment.

The event also showcased ECOWAS-led initiatives such as the ECOWAS Trade and Gender Action Plan, export readiness trainings, and platforms like the 50 Million African Women Speak (50MAWS) and the Business-to-Business matchmaking platform of the West Africa Competitiveness Observatory.

The Workshop was attended by a cross-section of stakeholders including women entrepreneurs, representatives of Ministries responsible for trade in ECOWAS, and development partners.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Mine Action Programme hosts the African Group

Source: APO


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The United Nations Support Mission in Libya’s Mine Action Programme Tuesday met with the African Group, led by Ghana and chaired by DSRSG/RC Aeneas Chuma, with participation from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tunisia.

The session focused on the impact of explosive remnants of war, unsecured stockpiles, and uncontrolled arms on civilian safety and development in Libya and the wider region. The Mine Action Programme, together with its partner non-governmental organization HALO Trust, delivered a presentation on the link between weapons and ammunition management and regional stability.

Participants highlighted the need for continued collaboration and called for strengthened regional approaches to address these shared challenges, which directly affect the lives of civilians, particularly vulnerable populations.

“Managing weapons and ammunition safely is about more than logistics — it’s about protecting lives, enabling movement and supporting stability,” DSRSG Chuma said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

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Sierra Leone and African Development Bank Target $90 Billion in Annual Illicit Financial Flows

Source: APO

A four-day high-level seminar concluded last week with concrete recommendations to combat the estimated $90 billion that Africa loses annually to illicit financial flows, as the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) and Sierra Leone Government intensify efforts to strengthen natural resource governance.

More than 70 stakeholders from government, civil society, private sector, and international organizations gathered at The Place Resort in Tokeh  under the theme “Harnessing Africa’s Wealth: Curbing Illicit Financial Flows for Resilient Growth and Development.” Illicit financial flows are among Africa’s most pressing economic challenges.

The dialogue produced specific policy recommendations, including establishing national communities of practice, implementing institutional reforms, and enhancing transparency in resource-backed lending (RBL). Participants agreed that RBLs should be treated as “an option of last resort” and used only with maximum transparency and for investments that directly contribute to repayment capacity.

“This initiative can help us improve revenue from natural resources by blocking leakages through illegal natural resource trade and improved management of resource-backed lending,” said Sierra Leone’s Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura.

The workshop sessions focused on identifying illicit financial flows, managing resource-backed lending, and developing transparent governance mechanisms. Participants reviewed findings from the Sierra Leone Country Diagnostic Report, which examined illegal natural resource trade and institutional capacity gaps.

International expert Bernd Schlenter from Rand Sandton Consulting Group presented technical insights on illicit financial flows patterns and policy recommendations during the intensive sessions.

Halima Hashi, African Development Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone, noted the project aligns with the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy 2024-2033 and Natural Resources Management and Investment Action Plan 2025-2029.

Broader Impact

The GONAT Project, funded by the African Development Bank’s Transitional Support Facility, has three pillars: policy analysis and diagnostics, capacity strengthening, and high-level policy dialogue. The initiative supports the African Development Bank’s mission to optimize Africa’s natural wealth for inclusive prosperity.

“Achieving transparent and equitable natural resource management is not merely a technical exercise—it is a strategic imperative for Africa’s future,” said Dr. Eric Ogunleye, Director of the African Development Bank’s African Development Institute.

The seminar produced a draft communique for national adoption, with participants pledging to transform the policy recommendations into actionable reforms.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
Natalie Nkembuh
Communication and Media Relations Department
media@afdb.org

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KZN Treasury withdraws support to Umkhanyakude District Municipality

Source: Government of South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal Treasury has officially withdrawn its financial support services to Umkhanyakude District Municipality, citing concerns over wasteful expenditure and lack of cooperation from municipal officials.

Finance MEC Francois Rodgers confirmed the decision in a formal letter addressed to the municipality’s mayor, Siphile Mdaka, on Thursday.

Rodgers said the decision was taken in a bid to conserve provincial government resources and redirect them where it is possible to work freely in the spirit of building a capable and ethical state.

According to the MEC, KZN Treasury teams had on various occasions travelled to Umkhanyakhude a day in advance, to facilitate a full productive day with municipal officials.

However, the teams have often found themselves subjected to late cancellations of sessions by municipal officials, either the evening before, the mornings of scheduled meetings.

“These [recurring late cancellations] has resulted in fruitless and wasteful expenditure being incurred by KZN Provincial Treasury,” Rodgers said.

In his letter to the mayor, Rodgers emphasised that Treasury has limited resources, and in determining which municipalities to support; the municipal manager is required to “commit to the initiative and to provide assurance that the Treasury teams will receive full cooperation.”

“This clearly has not happened, and I have therefore instructed my team to withdraw from the municipality and to reassign the resources to other municipalities that desperately require our support,” Rodgers said.

Intervention in municipality

The withdrawal of support comes as Umkhanyakude District Municipality faces heightened scrutiny.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Thulasizwe Buthelezi, recently invoked Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution to place the municipality under administration.

The section empowers the provincial government to intervene when a municipality fails to fulfil its constitutional mandate to deliver services.

Buthelezi has launched a forensic investigation under Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act to probe allegations of corruption and maladministration within the municipality.

“This investigation, being conducted in terms of Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act, aims to thoroughly examine the various allegations. The intervention will ensure that officials are held accountable should any wrongdoing be uncovered by the investigators,” Buthelezi said. – SAnews.gov.za

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G20 nations called to be bold in addressing development challenges

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, has called on G20 nations to demonstrate bold leadership and shared accountability in addressing the world’s most pressing development challenges.

Ramokgopa has emphasised the importance of inclusive growth, social protection, and sustainable financing.

“This week is crucial for the advancement of our shared commitment to confront global development challenges. We gather not just as Ministers and officials, but as stewards of a common ambition to build a world in which progress does not bypass the most vulnerable,” the Minister said.

The Minister addressed the Fourth G20 Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting at Skukuza Lodge, in the Kruger National Park which wraps up today.

The working group meetings, hosted under South Africa’s G20 Presidency brought together G20 member states, invited countries, and international organisations to discuss key development priorities.  

These include the need to tackle illicit financial flows, strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, advance inclusive social protection systems and align development finance with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ramokgopa underscored the urgent need to address illicit financial flows, describing them as a threat to financial stability and a barrier to development.

“Illicit financial flows undermine public trust, drain essential resources, and destabilise economies. We urge global cooperation on automatic data sharing, beneficial ownership transparency, and digital identity tracking. We must shine light into the shadowy corners of the global financial system to finance sustainable futures,” she said.

The Minister said social protection should not be viewed as an act of charity but as a core pillar of sustainable development contributing to economic growth, societal cohesion, and gender equity.

The Development Working Group meetings were a culmination of negotiations working toward the ministerial declarations that were handed over for the Ministerial Meeting.

There was an introduction to the G20 USA Presidency, and the meeting was closed with a tribute to the delegation whose hard work and determination were instrumental in shaping a progressive and unified outcome.

South Africa’s G20 Presidency continues to prioritise inclusive dialogue and bold action in driving global progress through sustainable development, justice, and financial reform. – SAnews.gov.za

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Drive for energy efficiency sees registration of 7 000 buildings

Source: Government of South Africa

The Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, has announced that over 7 000 public and private buildings have registered for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

An EPC is a certificate that indicates how much energy is being used to operate a building, which is indicated through a performance scale of A-G, with A indicating a building is most energy efficient and G being least energy efficient. 

The requirement of having an EPC will play a key role in greenhouse gas emissions reduction, which is a key requirement to improve energy efficiency and saving costs.

As part of the Department of Electricity and Energy’s (DEE) and South African Energy Development Institute’s (Sanedi) priority to drive energy efficiency in South Africa, organisations have until 7 December 2025 to register for the certificate.

“With only five months left before registrations close, large building owners need to prioritise this. We aim to reach 60 000 registrations by the closing date. I am working with the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Mcpherson, and will also be working with Premiers and Mayors to ensure that this issue gets immediate attention. 

“There is an opportunity for all South Africans to play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and benefit from the programme,” said the Deputy Minister.

Since its launch in December 2020 until 21 July 2025, a total of 7 113 buildings have registered, and 3 884 EPCs have been issued. 

“I urge all building owners, both public and private, to adopt and implement alternative and energy-saving methods. We need to be creative and innovative so that we save on energy. 

“Some practical ways to do this include installing LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs and smart geysers, fitting solar panels, and turning off appliances when they are not in use. I encourage anyone to engage my department about the programme and how they can implement this initiative,” Graham-Maré said.

The purpose of EPCs:

  • Indicates the energy performance of a building,
  • Serve as regulatory tools/instruments targeting inefficient buildings, encouraging transformation towards energy-efficient buildings,
  • Are indicators for building owners to note and change their consumption patterns to benefit financially and comply with regulations, and
  • In the long term, they promote the reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of energy efficiency interventions using reliable data from existing EPCs. – SAnews.gov.za

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Opening remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the meeting between the National Executive and the Northern Cape Provincial Executive Council, Kimberley, Northern Cape

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director, Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa,
Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
MECs,
Executive Mayors and members of councils,
Officials,
Ladies and gentlemen, 

Good morning. 

This is the sixth formal engagement that the National Executive is having with a Provincial Executive.

We have previously met with the Executive Councils of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and most recently, the Eastern Cape. 

We hope to have met with the leadership of the remaining provinces over the next few months. 

Advancing cooperative governance is mandated by our Constitution. As the Government of National Unity, we see this as an important part of building a capable, ethical and developmental state. 

One of the driving forces behind the District Development Model that we established in 2019 was to ultimately do away with two persistent challenges that have been holding back our progress as a Government.  

The first challenge is that of working in silos. This has been a particular problem when it comes to the interface between the national, provincial and local spheres of Government.  

The second is what I have termed ‘parachuted development’. This refers to projects and programmes being initiated, scoped and budgeted for at national level without due consideration to the realities of implementation on the ground, or even to whether that particular initiative meets community needs.  

These challenges have been time-consuming and costly. They have also contributed to a widening trust deficit between Government and communities when these ventures fail to take flight or encounter implementation challenges. 

Structured engagements between the national and provincial executives are designed to narrow and ultimately close these gaps. They are meant to help us work together more efficiently, to resolve challenges together and to plan smarter. 

I have said on a number of occasions that the Northern Cape is an economic pioneer and a frontier of innovation. 

Last year, the Pultizer Centre published a profile that characterised the Province as South Africa’s emerging powerhouse – quite literally.

The Northern Cape is at the forefront of the clean energy revolution and experiencing a significant surge in power projects, notably solar and green hydrogen. 

The Province’s Green Hydrogen Masterplan is ambitious in both scope and potential benefits – not just for the Northern Cape but for the national economy, for the SADC region, for the continent and globally. 

In recent months I, together with a number of members of the National Executive, have participated in multilateral discussions and business forums where we have been articulating our vision of South Africa being a leader in the renewable energy revolution. 

And, to quote the Pulitzer Centre report, once the energy transition unfolds as envisaged, the Northern Cape could be the new heartbeat of the economy. 

Besides the strides being made in the energy sector, we note that the Northern Cape is working to become an industrial hub.

This is supported by traditional industries like mining, but is being expanded through special economic zone development, industrial park development and major infrastructure developments, notably in port and rail.  

While the economy of the province has been growing and creating jobs, and there has been important progress in areas like education, public infrastructure and basic services, persistent challenges remain.  

The National Treasury’s 2024 provincial socio-economic review points to an increase in the percentage of people living in poverty and to a drop in the number of households with access to basic services like water. 

Unemployment, especially youth unemployment, remains high.

Fiscal constraints are holding back a number of projects particularly at a municipal level, including for disaster response, asbestos eradication, land restitution, rural electrification and public housing.  

With respect to infrastructure development, we will need to find ways to support high impact projects like the Northern Cape Industrial Corridor, the R1 billion housing programme and the Kimberley Big Hole precinct as examples. 

We will also need find creative funding mechanisms for projects like the Boegoebaai harbour. We need an urgent relook at the current delivery model to enable regulatory approval and investment activation.

Integrated planning between national, provincial and local government must involve State-owned enterprises as important stakeholders with significant capabilities. 

The integration of provincial planning into national priority planning must be prioritised through the District Development Model and aligned with the Medium-Term Development Plan. 

We are keen to discuss how the Province is addressing the issue of climate change and its state of readiness to respond to natural disasters. 

Another challenge is the increasing municipal debt and what measures are in place to improve revenue collection. 

Furthermore, how can the Province leverage its key tourism attractions?

These are among the issues that we will deliberate on today. 

Allow me to once again thank you all for your attendance. I look forward to our discussions.

I thank you.

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La Sierra Leone et la Banque africaine de développement prennent pour cible les 90 milliards de dollars de flux financiers illicites annuels

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Un séminaire à haut niveau de quatre jours s’est conclu la semaine dernière sur des recommandations concrètes pour lutter contre les quelque 90 milliards de dollars que l’Afrique perd chaque année à cause des flux financiers illicites, alors que le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (www.AfDB.org) et le gouvernement de la Sierra Leone intensifient leurs efforts pour renforcer la gouvernance des ressources naturelles.

Plus de 70 parties prenantes issues du gouvernement, de la société civile, du secteur privé et d’organisations internationales se sont réunies à The Place Resort à Tokeh sous le thème « Exploiter la richesse de l’Afrique : Infléchir les flux financiers illicites en faveur d’une croissance et d’un développement résilients ». Les flux financiers illicites comptent parmi les enjeux économiques les plus urgents de l’Afrique.

Les discussions ont débouché sur des recommandations stratégiques, notamment la création de communautés de pratique nationales, la mise en œuvre de réformes institutionnelles et l’amélioration de la transparence autour des prêts adossés à des ressources. Les participants se sont accordés pour reconnaître que ces prêts doivent être considérés comme « une option de dernier recours » et ne doivent être utilisés que s’ils garantissent une transparence maximale et financent des investissements qui contribuent directement à la capacité de remboursement.

« Cette initiative peut nous aider à améliorer les recettes tirées des ressources naturelles en empêchant leur détournement via le commerce illégal et en renforçant la gestion des prêts adossés à ces ressources », a déclaré Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, ministre des Finances de la Sierra Leone.

Les sessions de l’atelier ont porté sur l’identification des flux financiers illicites, la gestion des prêts adossés à des ressources et l’élaboration de mécanismes de gouvernance transparents. Les participants ont examiné les conclusions du Rapport de diagnostic national de la Sierra Leone, consacré au commerce illégal des ressources naturelles et aux insuffisances des capacités institutionnelles.

L’expert international Bernd Schlenter de Rand Sandton Consulting Group a présenté des analyses techniques sur les schémas des flux financiers illicites ainsi que des recommandations stratégiques lors de sessions intensives.

Halima Hashi, responsable du bureau pays de la Banque africaine de développement en Sierra Leone, a souligné que ce projet s’aligne sur la Stratégie décennale 2024-2033 et sur le Plan d’action de gestion et d’investissement en ressources naturelles 2025-2029 de la Banque.

Impact plus large

Le projet GONAT, financé par la Facilité d’appui à la transition de la Banque africaine de développement, repose sur trois piliers : analyse et diagnostic des politiques, renforcement des capacités et dialogue politique à haut niveau. Cette initiative soutient la mission de la Banque africaine de développement d’optimiser les richesses naturelles de l’Afrique en faveur d’une prospérité inclusive.

« Parvenir à une gestion transparente et équitable des ressources naturelles ne relève pas d’un simple exercice technique : c’est un impératif stratégique essentiel pour l’avenir de l’Afrique », a déclaré Eric Ogunleye, directeur de l’Institut africain de développement de la Banque africaine de développement.

Le séminaire a abouti à un projet de communiqué pour adoption nationale, les participants s’engageant à traduire les recommandations stratégiques en réformes concrètes.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact médias :
Natalie Nkembuh
Section communication et relations extérieures
media@afdb.org

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Benin: African Development Bank Approves Over $30 Million to Protect Farmers from Climate Shocks and Food Insecurity

Source: APO

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group  (www.AfDB.org) has approved $30.25 million in financing for a groundbreaking climate protection and agricultural sector resilience program in Benin. Thanks to this approval, Beninese farmers, particularly those in northern Benin, will no longer have to fear losing their entire harvest during devastating droughts or sudden floods.

This initiative will protect 150,000 smallholder farmers against climate shocks in a country where agriculture employs seven out of ten people but remains at the mercy of an increasingly unpredictable climate. The situation is particularly critical in the departments of Alibori and Atakora, where one in four farmers suffers from food insecurity, well above the national average.

These northern regions face a double burden of climate challenges and spillover effects from Sahel instability, creating additional pressures through forced displacement and border closures with Niger. Climate projections indicate alarming future risks, with cotton production and maize yields expected to drop by 22% and 6.3% respectively, with potential economic losses estimated at approximately 201 billion CFA francs.

“This investment represents our commitment to strengthening climate resilience in Benin’s agricultural sector while responding to the urgent needs of vulnerable farming communities,” said Robert Masumbuko, African Development Bank Country Representative in Benin. “By introducing innovative risk management tools and strengthening local capacities, we are helping farmers adapt to climate change while preventing conflicts and promoting social cohesion in fragile border areas.”

The project strengthens the Beninese government’s efforts to establish agricultural insurance, whose pilot phase is managed by Benin’s National Fund for Agricultural Development (FNDA).

It introduces innovative climate risk transfer mechanisms, including sovereign insurance coverage against droughts and floods via the African Risk Capacity, and agricultural micro- insurance for smallholders. These tools will improve farmers’ risk profiles with financial institutions, facilitating better access to credit and investment opportunities.

Beyond insurance mechanisms, the initiative will strengthen institutional capacities for climate disaster management, deploy early warning systems with agrometeorological equipment, and promote climate-smart agricultural practices. The program specifically targets 30% youth participation and ensures 30% female representation among the 150,000 direct beneficiaries. Furthermore, special attention is given to social cohesion activities to support peaceful integration of displaced populations in host communities.

The financing comes from multiple sources: $20 million from the “prevention” envelope of the Transition Support Facility, $5 million from the African Development Fund, $3 million from the ADRiFi multi-donor trust fund, and approximately $2.44 million in national counterpart contributions for insurance premiums.

The project aligns with Benin’s National Development Plan 2018-2025 and its National Adaptation Plan 2022-2027, supporting the country’s agricultural transformation objectives while strengthening climate change resilience through innovative instruments such as insurance. Strategic partnerships with the World Food Programme, the World Bank, and bilateral donors such as Swiss and Luxembourg cooperations ensure comprehensive support for sustainable agricultural development, including the establishment of agricultural insurance in Benin.

For Benin’s farming families, this financing represents hope for protected harvests, stable incomes, and a safer future for their children. For northern Benin communities, this project is a guarantee of stability and social cohesion in a strategic region of West Africa, and finally, for the Beninese state, the project ensures financial resilience against increasingly recurrent disaster risks.

The African Development Bank Group remains committed to supporting Africa’s agricultural transformation through innovative climate adaptation solutions that protect vulnerable communities while promoting sustainable development and regional stability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
Natalie Nkembuh
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s leading development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). Represented in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member countries. For more information: www.AfDB.org

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