The African Union (AU) has advanced
plans to ensure that the continent leverages its relationships with Development
Partners (DPs), mostly in the implementation of the recently endorsed Malabo
funding facility, reports NaijaAgroNet.
Revealing this to NaijaAgroNet in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the inaugural conference of Specialized Technical
Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (STC-ARDWE),
the Coordinator of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP),
Mr. Komla Bissi, assured the judicious use of the facility.
Reacting to DPs commendations to AU
at the opening session of STC, he reiterated that African Union is working with
the development partners to explore and leverage on the options that could be
available for financing some of continent programmes.
He also affirmed that the current ‘Malabo
facility’ would not disturb in any way the various on-going projects across the
continent.
“We just concluded a discussion on
the new financing facility, which we’re calling the Malabo facility,” he
asserted.
Mr. Bissi explained that this facility
is being put together from various sources, namely the AU, development
partners, and private sectors to support countries particularly in implementing
the commitment made in the Malabo facility and the programmes that have been
identified.
His office through the AU is presently
consulting with “Our member states. So, these discussions will be concluded
this afternoon at the ongoing meeting of ST-ARDWE in Addis Ababa, whereas specific
recommendations will be tabled for Ministers for consideration.”
NaijaAgroNet recalls for instance that
recently, the World Bank highlighted that across Sub-Saharan Africa, poor
infrastructure is a major bottleneck for sustainable development, just as signaling
a new push and renewed commitment, could boost investment and catalyzes greater
cooperation.
While infrastructure deficit has
remain atop challenges of the continent’s ability to lay the foundations for
sustained economic growth and productivity improvements needed to end poverty
and boost shared prosperity on the continent.
+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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