New African Devt Fund’s $11.48 million Grant to Bolster AU’s Capacity

ADDIS ABABA – The African Union Commission (AUC) will soon benefit from an $11.48 million grant from the African Development Fund to strengthen its governance and provide it with institutional support, says AfDB.

The approval for the grant, from the Fund’s regional public goods window, came a few days ahead of the 35th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, which was attended by the African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina.

The grant will contribute to the Institutional Capacity Building for the AU Project – a program designed to improve the AUC’s capacity to drive Agenda 2063 which envisions “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”

In 2017, the AUC launched a comprehensive institutional reform process to make the institution more efficient and financially self-sufficient.

AU Commission Deputy Chair Monique Nsanzabaganwa expressed the institution’s deep appreciation for the grant.

She said the fund will cover three main components – institutional strengthening; policy planning, coordination, and corporate service delivery; and project management. In addition, it contains important environmental and social safeguards and gender-sensitive considerations.

A portion of the funds would also be allocated to the AUC’s Disaster Risk Reduction practices, and Climate Change Adaptation mechanisms, and support developing the Commission’s Gender and Youth Mainstreaming Guidelines.

The total cost of the project is $12.6 million, including an in-kind counterpart contribution from the African Union.