The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United States government have reaffirmed their commitment to working together to address key challenges facing the African continent. The renewed partnership focuses on infrastructure development, healthcare, climate change, and supporting women and youth entrepreneurs.
AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina praised the Biden administration’s approach to Africa, particularly its emphasis on quality infrastructure, which he considers the foundation of economic growth. He commended President Biden’s “Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment” (PGII) initiative, a $1.5 billion investment project targeting digital access, agriculture, clean energy, and transportation corridors in Africa.
Adesina highlighted the AfDB’s existing collaboration with various US agencies, including the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), USAID, and Millennium Challenge Corporation. USTDA Director Enoh Ebong emphasized the importance of Africa’s voice in tackling global issues like climate change and infrastructure development. She reaffirmed USTDA’s commitment to working with the AfDB to support its development work across Africa.
One key area of collaboration is healthcare. Through its partnership with the Africa Investment Forum (AIF), USTDA is facilitating the expansion of Nigeria’s successful “MobiHealth” telemedicine project to other African countries. Adesina proposed further collaboration on improving primary healthcare access and quality through digitalization and insurance programs, particularly in rural areas.
The AfDB is also actively building Africa’s health security in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes a $3 billion program for quality health infrastructure and another $3 billion initiative to develop the continent’s pharmaceutical industry over the next seven years.
Infrastructure development remains a top priority. Adesina highlighted investment opportunities beyond the Zambia-Lobito corridor, including the $15.6 billion Abidjan-Lagos corridor project. He proposed dedicating a session to such infrastructure projects at the next Africa Investment Forum Market Days.
The partnership extends to empowering women and youth. The AfDB’s “Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa” (AFAWA) initiative bridges the financing gap for women-led businesses. Similarly, the Bank’s “Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Banks” offer financial and technical support to young African entrepreneurs.
The AfDB is also collaborating with development partners to establish Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones in 11 African countries. These zones aim to boost food and agricultural production and revitalize rural communities.
The USTDA delegation participated in a two-day workshop with AfDB leadership to explore innovative financing opportunities, particularly in the green growth sector.