Published on : 25/05/2022 – 03:17
The annual meetings of the African Development Bank officially opened on Tuesday in Accra. The most important event of the year for this institution which attracts several thousand delegates, managers and shareholders. The theme this year: “Fostering climate resilience and a just energy transition for Africa”. The pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis has had serious impacts on the African continent. Added to this are the daily consequences of climate change.
« It is time for us to act. Not tomorrow. We must reposition the African Development Bank at the center of Africa’s recovery process », Estimates Vincent Nmehielle, the Secretary General of the AfDB.
« The meetings will provide a framework for governors as well as other actors and partners. And through different sessions they will be able to fully explore the options that can be considered to achieve climate resilience. We therefore hope that the deliberations will result in recommendations that will help build a better and bolder Africa. »
A just energy transition which has a cost and which must not be done to the detriment of the development of the continent hammers Akinwumi Adesina, the president of the AfDB. “ First, we must guarantee access and an affordable price for electricity. Second, security of energy supply must be ensured. And thirdly, gas exploitation must continue. We must be realistic, pragmatic. »
Digitization of African societies, raising of innovative climate financing, extension of social protection programs. Here are some ideas that will be explored this week in Accra.
Food sovereignty is also invited into the discussions. The AfDB has already announced that it will release 1.5 billion dollars to fight a possible food crisis on the continent.
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