Togo has taken a significant step toward sustainable agricultural development after signing financing agreements worth $38.9 million with the African Development Bank (AfDB) on May 28 in Abidjan.
The funds are earmarked for the enhancement of climate-resilient infrastructure within the country’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones.
The financing package comprises a $29 million grant from the Green Climate Fund, managed by the AfDB, alongside a $9.9 million loan from the Bank itself. This partnership underscores the growing strategic collaboration between Lomé and the pan-African financial institution.
The agreements were formalized during the AfDB Annual Meetings, with Togolese Minister of Economy and Finance, Essowè Georges Barcola, and the Bank’s Vice President for Regional Development, Nnenna Nwabufo, leading the signing ceremony.
Minister Barcola framed the project as a clear commitment by Togo to foster sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth in line with its national development blueprint, “Togo 2025.” Meanwhile, Ms. Nwabufo hailed the initiative as a pioneering intervention by the Green Climate Fund within Africa’s agro-industrial zones, noting the promising role renewable energy can play in agriculture.
The program is set to develop 10,000 hectares of agroforestry, significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote climate-smart farming practices. A key focus lies in empowering women farmers by enhancing their access to irrigation systems, processing technologies, and vital climate information services.
This initiative aligns seamlessly with the AfDB’s “Feed Africa” strategy, designed to fast-track the continent’s sustainable agricultural transformation. By backing Togo’s agrifood sector, the program aims to bolster food security, resilience, and economic growth amid mounting climate challenges.
As Africa confronts the dual pressures of climate change and food demand, such targeted investments in agro-industrial infrastructure are increasingly seen as critical to shaping the continent’s future.
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