African Development Bank Secures $18 Million in Global Environment Facility (GEF) Financing for Zambezi Basin and E-Waste Projects

African Development Bank (AfDB) Group

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has secured more than $18 million in financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for two major projects aimed at strengthening environmental sustainability and resilience in Africa.

The first project, “Strengthening Zambezi River Basin Management for Climate Resilience and Ecosystem Health,” was allocated $10.57 million. This initiative aims to improve collaborative management of water, energy, food and environmental resources in the Zambezi River basin, which spans eight countries in southern Africa: Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The second project, the “Global Electronics Management (GEM) Program (Horn of Africa Regional Child Project)”, received $7.83 million to address the growing challenge of electronic waste (e-waste) in Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia.

The GEF approved the financing at its 67th Council meetings held in Washington, DC, June 17-20, 2024. Established before the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the Fund is the largest source of multilateral financing for biodiversity, addressing interrelated environmental challenges at scale. worldwide. The African Development Bank is one of its executing agencies with direct access to its resources.

The Zambezi River Basin Project, estimated to cost $9.45 million, is expected to benefit millions of people through advances in agriculture, fishing and dam operations. It aims to promote transboundary cooperation, integrated planning and adaptive management practices to strengthen basin resilience and ecosystem health.

The $60 million GEM program aims to significantly reduce the production of e-waste and increase circularity in the electronics sector in developing countries.

Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, said: “Through these projects, the African Development Bank continues to lead the way in promoting environmental sustainability and resilience. , thus promoting positive change for people and the planet. He added: “Over the years, we have also increased our interventions on chemicals and waste issues across the African continent. »

These projects represent an ongoing commitment by the African Development Bank to drive sustainable development and resilience across Africa, addressing critical environmental challenges through innovative and collaborative approaches.

Distributed by APO Group for the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group.

Download image 1 (Hippopotamus on the Zambezi River, near Victoria Falls): apo-opa.co/3RJ6owo

Download Image 2 (A worker in a circuit board crusher, shredder and e-waste recycling plant): apo-opa.co/45KZCvJ

Contact:
Sonia Borrini
Specialist in communication and knowledge management
Climate Change and Green Growth Department
s.borrini@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is the leading development finance institution in Africa. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). Present on the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

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