African Development Bank Group

African Development Bank and Federal Government of #Nigeria Set to Launch Transformative Agro-Industrial Initiative This week marks a major milestone for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation. Vice President Kashim Shettima and African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina will jointly lead the launch of Nigeria’s $538 million Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Phase 1 – a flagship initiative to boost food security, create jobs and drive rural industrialisation. Last year, Nigeria spent $4.7 billion importing food. The #SAPZ program is designed to reverse this trend by unlocking local production potential and strengthening agro-industrial value chains nationwide. In partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and private sector leader ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, the program will kick off in two states: ➡ Kaduna State - 8 April 2025 ➡ Cross River State - 10 April 2025 Beginning with eight states - Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Cross River, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory - the SAPZ Phase 1 program lays the foundation for national impact and advances the momentum for Phase 2, with 28 more states eager to join. More on #SAPZNigeria: https://bit.ly/42ewSvv #FeedAfrica #AfDBinNigeria

PRESS CONFERENCE: As a prelude to the 2025 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group, Secretary General Professor Vincent O. Nmehielle will hold a press conference. He will be joined by the Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, KEVIN CHIKA URAMA. 🗓️ Wednesday, 9 April 2025; 13:00–14:35 GMT 📍 African Development Bank HQ, Abidjan and by videoconference. Register to attend: https://bit.ly/3G1N7mM #AfDBAM2025

"Today is indeed a big day for #Kaduna State. It is also a great day for #Nigeria." - African Development Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina at the groundbreaking ceremony of Phase 1 of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (#SAPZ) program. WATCH a replay of the #SAPZNigeria ceremony here: https://bit.ly/4ibh0yd #FeedAfrica #AfDBinNigeria

Ahead of today’s Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Phase 1 groundbreaking in #Kaduna State, watch the video below for a RECAP of State Governor Uba Sani at last year’s Africa Investment Forum, reflecting on the zone’s transformative potential to: ✅ Revolutionise agriculture ✅ Create jobs ✅ Strengthen the agri-value chain More on today’s #SAPZNigeria launch: https://bit.ly/42ewSvv #FeedAfrica #AfDBinNigeria

LAST CALL: 13th Global Community of Practice (G-CoP) Policy Dialogue    Tomorrow, the African Development Institute of the African Development Bank will host a dialogue on innovative strategies for unlocking Africa’s domestic debt markets. ⏰ 11:00 - 14:00 (GMT) Details: https://bit.ly/3QU6yQC #GCoP #Innovation

The African Union Commission, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the African Development Bank are convening the 6th #AfricaClimateTalks in Kampala, #Uganda, on April 7-8, 2025. This critical event will bring together government representatives, experts, and stakeholders to coordinate strategies and build consensus on Africa's climate agenda ahead of #COP30 in Belem, Brazil. In partnership with the Uganda Parliamentary Forum, the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance, UNICEF, and others, discussions will focus on "Rethinking financing and ambition for climate action, green growth and development in Africa: a justice issue." Key topics include climate finance, adaptation, just transition, and the impact of climate change on health, gender equality, and sustainable resource management. More details: https://bit.ly/43IBj2C #ClimateAction #ClimateFinance

Young People Are Africa’s Greatest Asset   Africa's demographic opportunity is a powerful force for economic and social transformation. With a young and dynamic workforce, we are poised to drive progress and innovation over the next decade.    Learn more about how, through the African Development Bank's Ten-Year Strategy 2024-2033, we’re working towards harnessing the potential of Africa's youth and building a thriving future together: https://bit.ly/AfDB10YS #TenYearStrategyAfDB #AfDB10YS

Two African Development Bank Group-supported projects garner top honours at the 2025 Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards conference. A $500 million sustainable term loan facility in #Senegal was named Sovereign Syndicated Loan Deal of the Year, while #Rwanda’s €200 million ESG loan was awarded ESG Loan Deal of the Year. Both projects were supported by partial credit guarantees from the African Development Bank Group. Ahmed Rashad ATTOUT, the Bank Group’s Director for Financial Sector Development, said: “These awards underscore the Bank's steadfast commitment to fostering competitive and sustainable financing solutions. By tailoring partial credit guarantees to the specific needs of member countries, Senegal and Rwanda now have access to competitive international capital, enabling them to mobilize long term funding from international commercial banks for green and social initiatives for the first time.” “The awards shine a spotlight on these innovative transactions, marking a game-changing benchmark for leveraging sustainable financing to drive transformative and social progress. They not only benefit communities but also pave the way for a resilient and prosperous future,” stated Max magor Ndiaye, Bank Group Senior Director for Syndication, Co-financing Client Solutions and the Africa Investment Forum.  More: https://bit.ly/41TYeGV

Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (#SAPZ) Phase 1 Launch The Federal Government of #Nigeria, in collaboration with the African Development Bank and key partners -- the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Africa Grow Together Fund -- will launch the #SAPZNigeria Phase 1 Implementation Flagoff, a landmark step toward agro-industrial development. Scheduled for April 8 in #Kaduna and April 10 in Cross River, this launch comes at a critical moment as Nigeria grapples with food insecurity and economic diversification needs. Under the African Development Bank's #FeedAfrica strategy, this flagship program is a presidential priority to boost food security, create jobs, and revitalise peri-urban areas through innovative public-private partnerships. More details: https://bit.ly/4iQyod5 #AfDBinNigeria

#AfDBJobs: We're hiring! Apply today or share with your network. Visit https://bit.ly/AfDBJobs for the full list of vacancies at the African Development Bank.