The response of African nations against the scourge of COVID-19 has a new boost. This comes with the planned AfDB grant of $27.33 million from the African Development Bank to fund the continent response against COVID-19.
The bank’s agreement to fund the covid response initiative follows the initial adoption and approval at a meeting of the extended Bureau of the Conference of Heads of State and Government with Africa’s private sector on April 22.
He further adds that the bank was most importantly sending a strong signal that collectively, the continent can address the pandemic, which is straining health systems and causing unprecedented socio-economic impacts on the continent.”
Speaking after the Board approval of this operation, President Adesina disclosed that “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 Centers 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.”
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The Bank’s grant financing will support the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in providing technical assistance and building capacity for 37 African Development Fund (ADF) eligible countries, particularly the Transition States, to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its impact. The ADF is the Bank’s concessional window.
According to the statement, the bank’s grant financing will support the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Africa CDC – in providing technical assistance and building capacity for 37 African Development Fund (ADF) eligible countries.
The AU COVID-19 response fund was established by Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, in March 2020 .