March 2010
"Le temps de l'Afrique", de Jean-Michel Severino et Olivier Ray
A l’occasion du cinquantenaire des indépendances africaines et de la sortie du livre Le temps de l’Afrique de Jean-Michel Severino et Olivier Ray (éditions Odile Jacob, en librairie le 18 mars 2010), venez débattre des transformations africaines et de leurs enjeux sur le forum du site www.letempsdelafrique.com.
Focales : nouvelle collection publiée par l’AFD
Le département de la recherche de l’AFD lance en 2010 de nouvelles collections pour ses publications. Les deux premiers numéros de la collection Focales viennent de paraître. <En savoir plus> <Accéder au site de la Recherche>
February 2010
Mexico : supporting the fight against climate change
Egypt : wastewater treatment plant extension
AFD is financing the extension of the Gabal el Asfar wastewater treatment plant alongside the African Development Bank. This extension will raise the plant’s treatment capacity by 500 000 m3 a day. It will become Africa’s biggest wastewater treatment plant.<More>
January 2010
Urgency in Haiti
In the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday 12 January 2010, France has been mobilizing to provide support to populations. Present in Haiti since 1976, the AFD is involved in the preparation of reconstruction along with other international donors < More information >
Reunion Island: an enhanced partnership
On Reunion Island, AFD’s financing aims to support the productive sector, build the capacities of public actors, contribute to a catching-up process for basic infrastructure and a more sustainable development of the island. It also promotes the integration of the local authority into its regional area. <Find out more>
South Africa: supporting research on HIV
AFD is supporting the Desmond Tutu Foundation for an operational research project on screening and simultaneous treatment for AIDS and tuberculosis… <Find out more>
December 2009
Competition and Marketplace on Innovative Financial Solutions for Development: New Internet Site
AFD, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Bank will co-host an international Marketplace on Innovative Financial Solutions for Development (2010 MIF) to be held in Paris on March, 4-5 2010. <More>
Heading for Copenhagen
With 1.2 billion euros committed in this sector in 2008, AFD is one of the major donors combating climate change. AFD will be at the Copenhagen Summit within the French delegation led by Brice Lalonde to share its experience in the field and its knowledge of North-South issues. The climate challenge has now become an integral part of development < Discover AFD’s new climate portal >
November 2009
Un Monde Solidaire (an inclusive world): short TV programs give voice to the South
To mark the 12th edition of International Solidarity Week, the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and AFD are sponsoring 26 short programs on development aid to be screened on France Télévisions. <Find out more>
AFD/IFOP 2009 BAROMETER
This year, the barometer focused on French people’s expectations in terms of official development assistance in a difficult economic and social context.. <Next>
Sub-saharan Africa: a priority for AFD
AFD earmarks almost half of its commitments for Sub-Saharan Africa. It finances projects that aim to generate wealth in order to reduce poverty and create a favorable environment for development < Discover the new Sub-Saharan Africa portal (French version only) >
Tunisia: environmental lines of credit
AFD and the European Union are working in partnership to set up subsidized lines of credit for Tunisian banks. The objective: to encourage businesses to implement energy management and industrial depollution programs. <See the Tunisia portal>
October 2009
Launch of the “1 GOAL: Education for All” campaign
AFD supports the “1 GOAL: Education for All” campaign initiated by the Global Campaign for Education. The campaign aims to ensure that education is a priority at the international summits to be held during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and at the Millennium Development Goals summit in September 2010. <Find out more>
A communication campaign targeting businesses in Overseas France
On 26 September 2009, AFD launched a multimedia communication campaign (press, radio, internet) targeting entrepreneurs in France’s Overseas Departments and Communities. This operation falls within the framework of the national recovery plan which AFD is participating in and also aims to raise awareness to AFD’s wide range of financial tools. <Find out more>
7th Conference AFD & EUDN : Fragmentation in a globalized world
AFD and EUDN, have been organizing annual conferences since 2003 on Development related topics. The Conferences are key events for promoting European research. This year the conference will be held December 9 <The Conference site>
AFD supports "Middle Classes in Africa" photography project
Ahead of a major exhibition and the publication of a portfolio in 2010 that will give a wide audience the chance to discover his work, Joan Bardeletti has chosen Agence Française de Développement to present an extract of the photographic work carried out during the first part of the project in Côte d’Ivoire and Kenya. <Find out more> You can also discover his work on line at: www.classesmoyennes-afrique.org
Haiti: access to drinking water
Central Africa: space technologies for the environment
AFD and IRD are launching a project to strengthen the satellite monitoring of African tropical forests and eventually set up a satellite image reception station in Gabon. The aim is to better evaluate and quantify the effects of sustainable forest management policies on the tropical environment. <Find out more>
September 2009
Launch of a new financial product for development
AFD and Crédit Agricole Asset Management have launched CAAM AFD Avenirs durables (Sustainable Futures), an innovative mutual fund that allows savers to participate in financing projects in developing countries. This innovative product aims to create new sources of financing for development, while at the same time meeting the demands of savers seeking socially responsible investments < More > < Read the press release >
AFD is participating in the “planète mode d’emploi” fair
AFD will be inviting the general public to visit its stand during the Planète Mode d’Emploi Fair (The Planet: how does it work?) so that they can find out about its action, projects and beneficiaries. It will be welcoming visitors who want to learn about development issues. On the agenda: testimonies, film screenings, meetings with experts, readings… <Find out more>
Competition and Marketplace on Innovative Financial Solutions for Development
AFD, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Bank will co-host an international Marketplace on Innovative Financial Solutions for Development (2010 MIF) to be held in Paris on March, 4-5 2010. <More>
Preventing emerging viruses with Institut Pasteur in Southeast Asia
AFD is helping the Institut Pasteur strengthen its network in China, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. The project aims to improve the detection and management of epidemics caused by emerging viruses in the region and consequently help combat major global pandemics. <Find out more>
Support for Palestinian olive oil exports
In the framework of its trade capacity building program, AFD has decided to support Palestinian olive oil producers by helping to boost their exports in international markets. <Find out more>
July 2009
Union for the Mediterranean celebrates first anniversary
As part of the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean (UFM), AFD has launched an investment facility to support the economic development of the Mediterranean (FISEM). This new 250 million euro equity investment instrument will help SMEs in the region face the crisis. AFD has considerably scaled up its activities in the Mediterranean since the UFM was launched a year ago. <Find out more>
Morocco: Cities Without Slums
Slums have been growing around Morocco’s cities as a result of rural exodus. Almost 10% of the population lives in precarious housing. AFD is supporting the “Cities Without Slums” program launched by Morocco’s authorities in order to completely eradicate slums by 2012. <Find out more>
Southern Africa: developing a cross-border park
Great Limpopo Park covers an area of 4 million hectares on the borders of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa and constitutes a major advantage for the region. AFD is supporting the park with the aim of regulating wildlife, promoting tourism and boosting the local economy. <Find out more>
June 2009
Private sector and development magazine
Private Sector and Development is a bimonthly magazine that compares the views of experts in different fields on issues relating to the role the private sector plays in the development of in the development of low-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa < More about the magazine> < Download our latest issue> <Subscribe to the magazine>
Conference: "A Green Overseas France!"
Why and how to implement sustainable growth in Overseas France? On 23 June in Paris, academics, political representatives and socio-economic actors will be working together to forge a response to this question <More (French version only)>
Combating malaria with the DNDI Foundation
Malaria kills between one and three million people every year. AFD supports the DNDI (Drugs for Neglected Disease Initiative) for the development of treatments that are accessible to the poorest populations. <Find out more>
Developing the fair trade and organic cotton industry in West and Central Africa
The organic sector is booming and represents a real chance for African cotton. AFD is supporting the association of African cotton producers for the development of fair trade cotton production in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali and Senegal. <Find out more>
May 2009
Overseas France: a stronger partnership
With a total of one billion euros, AFD has considerably scaled up its commitments in the French overseas regions. Priority is given to environmental initiatives in close partnership with local authorities and the private sector <Download 2008 annual report (French version)> <Press release> <Overseas France Portal (French version)>
2008, a year of growth for AFD
In an international context disrupted by the financial crisis, AFD is continuing to support South countries and Overseas France. In 2008 its commitments rose by 25% to reach almost 4.5 billion euros, including 1.3 billion for Sub-Saharan Africa. This sharp rise in activity went hand in hand with a scaling up of strategic partnerships and a considerable increase in staff numbers. <Press Release> <AFD CEO's presentation>
Brazil: Curitiba, the sustainable city
AFD is supporting Curitiba Municipality - a city which has become world-famous for its sustainable development policy - by financing the extension of the public transport network and the creation of an ecological corridor. <Find out more> <Attend the screening on 19 May>
April 2009
Supporting private sector in Africa
The Board of Directors of the Investment and Support Fund for Businesses in Africa (FISEA - Fonds d’investissement et de soutien aux entreprises en Afrique) met today and the first projects were approved. This 250 million euro investment fund is expected to help create over 100 000 jobs in Africa <Read more>
Supporting local authorities in the French West Indies
AFD operates in Martinique and Guadeloupe in line with the mission entrusted to it by the French State to support public policies and companies, develop regional cooperation and help protect the environment. <our activities in Martinique> <our activities in Guadeloupe>
Combating the Food Crisis
AFD has joined forces with the African Development Bank (ADB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Kofi Annan Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to launch the African Agriculture Fund. <Find out more>
Excellence in training for African executives
AFD is supporting the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE). The institute is based in Burkina Faso and trains executives from all over Africa. Its training programs are based on innovation and the corporate spirit. <find out more>
March 2009
Bridging Divides for Water
The lack of access to drinking water and sanitation is the first cause of mortality in the world today. 8 000 people die from it every day. With the Millennium Development Goals of 2000 the international community pledged to halve the percentage of the population without access to drinking water and sanitation by 2015. AFD will be mobilizing alongside other French water sector actors during the World Water Forum to be held in Istanbul from 16 to 22 March. <Access the Water portal>
Invest your skills in a developing world
Agence Française de Développement (1500 staffers) and Proparco, its private sector financing arm, are strengthening their teams by recruiting high-level financiers, corporate lawyers, economists and engineers. <Consult our employment opportunities>
West Africa: managing the River Niger’s water resources
The River Niger, Africa’s third major river, crosses nine countries and supplies 100 million people with water. Yet lower pluviometry and pollution make it a potential cause of conflict. AFD is supporting the regional development of the Basin. <Find out more>
Cambodia: support for the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority
Thanks to its exemplary management the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority has reached performance levels on a par with international standards. AFD is financing a project to improve water supply in the city, particularly for inhabitants in outlying neighbourhoods. <Find out more>
Call for proposals "Strengthening local education management"
AFD is launching a call for proposals in the framework of the "Strengthening local education management" FISONG. The call aims to implement innovative operations to strengthen civil society capacities to participate in implementing and piloting education development programs. NGOs wishing to reply to this call must do so by 19 March 2009 at 5 p.m.<Download the call for proposals>
Decentralized cooperation: complementary approaches
Developing countries are experiencing a decentralization process with local governments emerging as key actors for governance. This change has led AFD to implement direct financing for South municipalities. AFD is also building partnerships with France’s territorial local authorities so that they can contribute to projects and also to benefit from their expertise. <Find out more>
Cambodia : AFD conducts its first carbon neutral operation
Agence Française de Développement is strongly committed to combating climate change and, in line with its social responsibility policy, has pledged to become carbon neutral for the period 2008-2012. Its first operation to purchase carbon credits was conducted in October 2008 and has financed a project to combat deforestation in Cambodia. <Find out more>
Support for the hospital sector in Overseas France
AFD supports local authorities in Overseas France in the health sector. Its operations aim to modernize hospital service provision and develop the management of dependent persons. <Find out more>
Access to drinking water in Port-au-Prince
Regards sur la Terre 2009 – Conference in Sciences Po
The sustainable development annual report “Regard sur la Terre” is published by AFD, IDDRI and Presses de Sciences Po, and will be available in bookstores on February 5. At this issue, a conference debate on the theme "A sustainable world is it possible?” will be held on January 20. <Find out more>
Egypt: water and sanitation in the Nile Delta
Thailand: energy efficiency
AFD is financing a line of credit to improve energy efficiency in the construction sector as part of its operations to combat climate change. <Access to the Thailand Portal>