The African Development Bank (AfDB) has joined forces with Germany’s Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to advance the role of Global and Regional Public Goods (GRPGs) in Africa’s development. This initiative aligns with the AfDB’s newly approved Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033) and aims to harness public goods to address key challenges across the continent.
A high-level technical workshop held in Abidjan brought together over 150 experts from the Bank and its global partners, both in person and online. Discussions centered on how GRPGs can serve as catalysts for sustainable development, tackling pressing issues such as climate change, pandemic preparedness, food security, and regional peacebuilding. Representatives from the World Bank also shared insights into their approach to GRPGs, further enriching the discussions.
AfDB Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth, Kevin Kariuki, emphasized the need for strategic partnerships and innovation to drive investment in GRPGs. He highlighted the workshop’s role in operationalizing the Bank’s long-term strategy, stating, “This initiative will identify best practices and lessons from global and regional experiences in providing public goods.”
Senior Director for Strategy and Operational Policies, Caroline Kende-Robb, underscored the importance of aligning public goods with regional priorities. She noted that supporting GRPGs would not only deliver cross-border benefits but also strengthen Africa’s resilience to global challenges.
Experts at the event stressed the necessity of integrating GRPG-focused strategies into project selection, aligning national and regional priorities, and establishing coordination mechanisms for managing shared resources like transboundary water systems. They also discussed creating financial frameworks to support GRPG investments across various sectors.
As part of the next steps, AfDB’s Strategy and Operational Policies Department will work with internal and external partners to implement these recommendations. This includes developing a comprehensive handbook to mainstream GRPGs in both lending and non-lending operations. With stronger collaboration between multilateral development banks and the private sector, the initiative aims to accelerate Africa’s progress and reshape its development landscape.
