I.A.M - Magazine - Page 30
How is the AfDB playing its role in helping make
this a reality?
Firstly, let me emphasize that the Bank is not a
policy maker. It is an implementer. From the point of
view of making regional integration known, the
projects that the bank undertakes are its avenues
for promoting regional integration. Under its High
5s, particularly the "Integrate Africa” pillar, the AfDB
actively supports the removal of trade barriers, the
development of cross-border infrastructure, and
harmonization of policies to deepen regional
ECONOMICÒINTEGRATIONÒ)TÒµNANCESÒKEYÒINFRASTRUCTUREÒ
projects—such
as
transnational
highways,
railways, energy interconnections, and digital
networks. All which are essential for connecting
African markets and strengthening governance.
Notable examples include the Kazungula Bridge
BETWEENÒ:AMBIAÒANDÒ"OTSWANA ÒµNANCEDÒTOÒBOOSTÒ
trade in Southern Africa; the Sene-Gambia Bridge
linking Senegal and The Gambia, which has
SIGNIµCANTLYÒ IMPROVEDÒ TRANSPORTÒ ANDÒ TRADEÒ ¹OWÒ INÒ
West Africa; supporting the West Africa Power Pool
to enhance cross-border energy access; and
contributing to large-scale infrastructure through
the Programme for Infrastructure Development in
Africa (PIDA).
Anchored on the Bank's Ten-Year Strategy, the
Bank aims to promote the free movement of goods,
µNANCE Ò ANDÒ PEOPLE Ò ANDÒ BUILDÒ REGIONALÒ VALUEÒ
chains as the foundation for a more productive
African economy and to drive industrialization.
“
When people ask where
I come from, I simply say,
I AM AFRICAN.
Every African should feel
comfortable in every African
country. Until that is realized,
then Integrate Africa would
have failed.
The AfDB also supports the African Continental
Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by providing technical
assistance, capacity building, and policy advisory
services to ensure member states implement trade
protocols effectively. Furthermore, through its
focus on governance, the Bank supports
institutional reforms, anti-corruption measures,
and capacity strengthening in member countries to
build transparent and accountable systems critical
for integration.
Financial integration is another critical area in which
THEÒ !F$"Ò HASÒ CONTRIBUTEDÒ SIGNIµCANTLYÒ TOÒ REGIONALÒ
INTEGRATIONÒ !FRICASÒ µNANCIALÒ MARKETSÒ AREÒ
FRAGMENTED Ò LIMITINGÒ CROSS BORDERÒ µNANCIALÒ ¹OWSÒ
and restricting access to capital for businesses and
GOVERNMENTSÒ "YÒ PROMOTINGÒ µNANCIALÒ INTEGRATION Ò
the AfDB enhances the capacity of African
countries to invest in their economies and support
regional trade and infrastructure development.
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