AfDB approves $27.33m for AU’s COVID-19 response initiative

The African Development Bank’s Board of Directors Wednesday approved $27.33m in grants to boost the African Union’s efforts to mobilize a continental response to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement from the AfDB said the approval followed a meeting of the extended Bureau of the Conference of Heads of State and Government with Africa’s private sector on 22 April 2020, chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and chairperson of the AU during which the AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina pledged support for the AU’s COVID-19 initiative.

Adesina pledges quality deliverables to Africa through AfDB

Adesina sworn in for a second term as president of AfDB

Adesina said: “The African Development Bank will strongly support Africa to get through the COVID-19 pandemic and build back, strongly and smartly.

“The Bank’s financial support to the Africa Centres for Disease Control, reaffirms our strong commitment to regional efforts to tackle the pandemic being coordinated by the African Union.

“Africa needs a well-financed Africa Centers for Disease Control, today and for the future.”

He said the bank’s grant financing would support the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in providing technical assistance and building capacity for 37 African Development Fund eligible countries, particularly the transition states, to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its impact.