A delegation from the African Development Bank (AfDB), led by Leila Mokkadem, Managing Director for Southern Africa, is on mission in Madagascar from March 13 to 17, 2023. Yesterday, she was received by President Andry Rajoelina in Iavoloha .
Among the subjects raised during this interview are the development projects financed or co-financed by the AfDB, including the implementation of the compact for food sovereignty following the Dakar 2 summit. During this summit, the AfDB announced a commitment to $334 million for resilience and food security projects proposed by Madagascar.
« Food and food security projects, particularly in the south of the island, are integrated projects that include not only land rehabilitation but also access to irrigation, road rehabilitation and establishment of an agricultural processing zone “, underlined the Director General of the AfDB for the Southern Africa region during this meeting.
The AfDB also plans to support young people through funding or capacity building. The choice of beneficiaries will be made through industrial project incubators, particularly in the agricultural sector. ” This will make it possible to have viable and effective industrial projects, especially in the agricultural sector. », estime Leila Mokkaden.
Regarding the improvement of access to energy, Leila Mokkadem announced that the implementation of projects in this direction will be accelerated. Among the large-scale projects financed by the bank is notably the construction of the Sahofika hydroelectric power station which will make it possible to double the electricity production capacity in Madagascar.
On March 1, 2023, the AfDB’s active portfolio in Madagascar had 21 operations, for a total amount of $646 million. The bank’s interventions in the country fall within the framework of the Country Strategy Paper (CSP 2022-2026) based on two priorities: the development of energy and transport infrastructure to support inclusive growth; and supporting agricultural transformation and manufacturing development.