Supporting business development and performance

AFD supports productive sectors with high added value, which are likely to create decent jobs, such as the solar sector, agribusiness, the chemical industry, sustainable tourism and new technologies. Our action involves developing these sectors, supporting the creation and performance of microenterprises and promoting innovation.

Facilitating access to the labor market for women

Growth requires a well-trained population in sufficient numbers. Yet in countries in the Middle East, three working-age women in four are unemployed. To empower them, while boosting growth, AFD promotes access to the labor market for women.

Enhancing the attractiveness of urban and rural areas

AFD operates at several levels to develop attractive territories that offer a good level of equipment and services, but also market opportunities (local or for export):

• In urban areas, we support social housing and projects to restructure neighborhoods, as well as the development of small economic activities and local services. We strengthen economic efficiency via operations in the building, public transport, and logistics and port functions sectors. Finally, we improve healthcare provision.
• In periurban areas, biodiversity is subject to strong pressures due to the densification of the coast. To ensure the growth and attractiveness of these territories, AFD supports projects for industrial sanitation, the depollution of coastal waters and the protection of ecosystems. 
• In rural areas, we focus on income-generating activities and access to credit, with the aim of retaining and increasing the wealth of populations who make their livelihoods from agriculture.

Ensuring energy security 

The energy security of countries is essential to the quality of life of populations and contributes to the sovereignty of States. The energy shortage faced by countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine has an impact on the daily lives of populations, poses a macroeconomic risk, and undermines business competitiveness. 

AFD draws on French expertise in this field to assist its partners in the definition of sectoral policies. The aim is to address the underpricing of energy, without weakening the purchasing power of the poorest, while at the same time increasing the share of renewable energies in energy mixes. 

Adapting to water stress

The Middle East is one of the parts of the world the most affected by climate change. Water is already a cause of local and international conflicts in the region and the available resources per capita are expected to halve over the next 50 years.
AFD promotes three combined actions to anticipate the increasing scarcity of natural capital (water, soil, forest cover) and provide equitable access to it: 

• Improve water demand management and the management of groundwater resources, which are experiencing a sharp increase in uncontrolled exploitation;
• Mobilize non-conventional water resources (desalination, treated wastewater reuse) and transfer water between watersheds;
• Adapt agricultural production to climate constraints. 

Providing a response to the aspirations of youth 

In a region where one young worker in four is unemployed, promoting access to employment for graduates and the inclusion of young people is a priority. In addition, while graduate unemployment remains a significant phenomenon, it masks another reality: 20 to 40% of young people are neither in employment, nor integrated into the school system, nor in training. 

AFD works with its partners to strengthen education and training systems and support active policies for employment in the public and private sectors. 

Responding to situations involving the influx of displaced populations

The long-term settlement of an ever-increasing number of displaced persons poses a challenge for host populations. In Jordan and Lebanon, in particular, AFD is helping to manage the consequences of this influx of migrants, who have been forced to leave neighboring countries by the ongoing crises. 

Our activities focus on strengthening economic opportunities and infrastructure, the use of which must be shared between populations, but also the capacity to take action in fragmented territories, such as Syria and the Palestinian Territories. 

In consultation with the other donors, we work on the definition of appropriate forms of operation (NGO facility or trust fund for coordinated action by donors benefiting from the best political and technical strengths).