Joseph Ribeiro, the Deputy Director General for West Africa at the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), recently visited central Côte d’Ivoire for a three-day field trip. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of two major projects funded by the Bank Group that are expected to bring significant changes to the country’s energy and agricultural sectors.
Ribeiro, along with his delegation, visited the Singrobo-Ahouaty hydroelectric power station and the Bélier Region Agro-Industrial Cluster Project (“2PAI-Bélier”). The hydroelectric power station near Abidjan is nearing completion and expected to contribute to the national grid. The African Development Bank has provided €40 million for the project, which is a partnership with other key funders like the Africa Finance Corporation and DEG.
The Bélier Region Agro-Industrial Cluster Project in Yamoussoukro aims to boost the agricultural sector through various initiatives. The project, mainly funded by the African Development Bank, has achieved significant milestones since its launch in 2018, including the development of rice-growing plots, creation of market garden areas, restoration of fishponds, construction of agricultural dams, and renovation of agricultural access roads.
Ribeiro highlighted the importance of these projects in meeting the country’s energy needs and transforming the agricultural landscape. He emphasized the success of the public-private partnership in the agricultural sector and the alignment of these projects with the Bank’s “Feed Africa” strategy.
Ribeiro praised the strong partnership between Cote d’Ivoire and the African Development Bank and expressed support for the country’s National Development Plan for 2021-2025. The Bank Group is committed to contributing to the economic development and social progress of African countries through its various entities.
Media contact: Alexis Adélé, Communication and External Relations Department: media@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution, with a presence in 41 African countries and an external office in Japan. For more information, visit www.AfDB.org