A “brown bag” session was held at the African Development Bank (AfDB) headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on 13 September to further leverage MCDF Finance Facility support for the preparation of high-quality cross-border connectivity projects on the continent
Informed by Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF) Program Head Frederic Wiltmann, the session examined the progress of AfDB’s partnership with MCDF and provided AfDB staff guidance on securing greater grant support for connectivity infrastructure projects in African countries through the MCDF Finance Facility, taking advantage of AfDB’s status as an accredited MCDF Implementing Partner.
Since 2022, the MCDF Finance Facility has provided AfDB with USD9,292,500 in grant support for the preparation of 4 transport, energy, and multi-sector projects; USD6,205,064 in capacity building for 3 projects, covering environmental and social frameworks, gender equity, risk management, trade facilitation, inclusion, the investment climate, and investment cycle capacity building for standards integration; and USD756,000 in information and knowledge sharing for 2 projects, focusing on trade facilitation and transport.
Participating AfDB staff praised MCDF’s role in facilitating transformative connectivity projects implemented by AfDB. They highlighted examples such as the Capacity Building for East African Community Trade Portals Connectivity project, Environmental and Social Capacity Building for African Countries project, and African Ports Portals Connectivity project.
Mr. Wiltmann discussed how AfDB could utilize the MCDF Finance Facility to deepen support for regional capacity building projects that drive development across Africa. He also described potential areas for further AfDB-MCDF collaboration, including debt sustainability, procurement support for African contractors, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and cross-border connectivity projects such as port and trade corridor development.
These initiatives align with MCDF’s mission to promote sustainable infrastructure and knowledge sharing in the region and beyond, Mr. Wiltmann noted.
The session concluded with an interactive discussion which provided participants additional information on the eligibility criteria and application process for accessing more MCDF Finance Facility resources to support high-quality connectivity projects in Africa.
While at AfDB headquarters, Mr. Wiltmann also met with Mr. Gauthier Bourlard, Senior Director and Special Advisor to the President at AfDB. They reaffirmed AfDB’s strategic partnership with MCDF and shared commitment to advancing regional development through joint connectivity project preparation, capacity building, and information sharing activities.
Contact
David Hendrickson
Senior Communications Officer
Mobile: +86 185 0114 6758
david.hendrickson@themcdf.org
