ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (Bantu Gazette) – The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Germany have announced new joint initiatives to promote energy access and private sector development across Africa.

The partnership, unveiled at a high-level meeting in Abidjan last week, strengthens support for the Mission 300 initiative, which aims to bring electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. It also expands funding for youth entrepreneurship programmes.

As the largest contributor to the 16th replenishment of the African Development Fund, Germany is reinforcing its role as a strategic partner for Africa’s sustainable development.

The meeting brought together more than 90 senior officials from the Bank, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW).

According to an AfDB statement on Wednesday, the collaboration will strengthen the Bank’s energy access programmes, with a focus on the implementation of National Energy Compacts in member countries.

“By working together, we continue to lay the foundation for a better, more inclusive future for Africa,” said Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Senior Vice President of the Bank Group.

Key initiatives include increased financing for renewable energy projects and regional power integration programmes.

The partnership builds on collaborations such as the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa and the Climate Action Window.

Discussions also focused on strengthening Africa’s private sector, particularly youth entrepreneurship and skills development.

Partners explored opportunities for increased co-financing and resource mobilisation for National Energy Pacts.

A highlight of the meeting was the signing of agreements under the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa, marking a step towards accelerating the development of green infrastructure across the continent.

“I am very proud that the African Development Bank and Germany strive to deepen their excellent cooperation.” BMZ Director General for Africa Ms Birgit Picket said.