Guinea

Despite an estimated hydropower potential of 6,000 MW, Guinea still has low access to electricity (29% on average, 2% in rural areas). Since 2016, AFD Group has committed more than €305 million to the sector, enabling nearly 450,000 people in the capital to connect to the grid. Alongside Électricité de Guinée (EDG), AFD finances the construction of high-voltage lines, the reinforcement of substations, and network densification to secure Conakry’s power supply, improve access in other regions, and support West African interconnection.

AFD is also active in the water sector, supporting Société des Eaux de Guinée (SEG) in improving its performance through the PACT project: reducing technical and commercial losses, upgrading connections to standard, improving billing reliability, and strengthening management capacity.

Lastly, as Conakry’s solid waste management system reaches capacity, AFD is supporting the construction of an engineered landfill, co-financed by the European Union. The project will benefit nearly 3 million people and contribute to lasting improvements in living conditions, while avoiding the emission of 34,000 tons of CO₂ over 20 years.

Agriculture employs more than 60% of the workforce in Guinea but faces constraints including the isolation of production areas, low yields, and soil degradation. Since 2017, AFD has committed more than €77 million to support over 10,000 family farms and develop four high-potential value chains (rice, groundnuts, fish farming, and poultry). Through the Rural Roads project, 600 km of roads are being rehabilitated to open up production areas and improve access to markets. The ASAF project helps strengthen sector governance through reliable tools for agricultural statistics, land monitoring, and territorial planning.

AFD also works to balance production with the preservation of natural resources. In Maritime Guinea, the SARITEM project promotes sustainable rice cultivation in mangrove areas; in Forest Guinea, PISCOFAM supports family-based commercial fish farming; and in the Dabola groundnut basin, support focuses on improving seeds and access to microcredit.

A biodiversity hotspot, Guinea is also supported in protecting its ecosystems. In Forest Guinea, AFD supports the management plan for the Ziama Reserve to restore 4,200 ha, relocate 1,000 farmers, and develop agroecological activities. Through the CLIMAGUI project, it also supports strengthening national climate services to improve community resilience to climate change.

Lastly, AFD has supported Crédit Rural de Guinée, a leading microfinance institution, for 30 years to strengthen incomes and growth prospects for rural populations.

Education and young peoples' access to employment are major challenges facing Guinea today, with a low literacy rate (40%), low quality education, insufficient infrastructure, and training programs poorly adapted to the market's needs.

AFD is a key partner in the education sector and supports the Guinean Government, alongside the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and UNICEF, through the creation of a Common Fund covering the three education sectors.

In the field of vocational training, we assist projects to support vocational training centers and integration schemes. Entrepreneurship support has been added to this system and includes support for women entrepreneurs.

Since the Ebola epidemic, AFD has been working alongside Guinea to strengthen its health system and reduce inequalities in access to care. More than €33 million has been mobilized since 2014 to support 150 health facilities and train 5,000 health professionals.

AFD contributes to strengthening human resources through continuing education projects, including the Ressources Humaines en Santé Publique (suggested translation: Human Resources in Public Health) program implemented by Expertise France, as well as support to the Agence nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire (suggested translation: National Health Security Agency) with the NGO Bioforce. It also supports civil society organizations, including Solthis for HIV prevention and treatment, DREP Afrique for sickle cell disease, and Santé Sud to support the deployment of doctors in remote areas.

In terms of infrastructure, AFD has financed the rehabilitation and equipment of 39 public laboratories through the LABOGUI project, supported the creation of the Institut Pasteur de Guinée, and strengthened biological diagnostics through the regional RESAOLAB program. It also works to prevent and control infections in several regions of the country.

Lastly, AFD supports sexual and reproductive health through the DSSR project in Boké, in partnership with Expertise France and local organizations, to promote women’s rights and access to care. In parallel, a project led by AMREF aims to reduce gynecological and obstetric violence. The One Health initiative, integrated into PREZODE, complements this approach by supporting the prevention of zoonotic pandemics.

New initiatives are also being rolled out in sports, particularly for girls, and in culture through the Accès Culture program.

A longstanding partner in Guinea’s decentralization process, AFD supports the Agence nationale de financement des collectivités locales (ANAFIC) to help operationalize transferred responsibilities and ensure greater citizen participation in local governance. It also supports initiatives led by NGOs and decentralized cooperation, strengthening the role of local authorities in territorial development.

In parallel, AFD supports the modernization of public administration. The Appui au Perfectionnement de l’Administration Publique (Public Administration Capacity-Building Support) project, implemented by Expertise France, aims to strengthen the Institut national de Formation et de Perfectionnement (INFP) and train 600 mid-level civil servants, while contributing to a younger and more gender-balanced civil service.

AFD is also active in the economic and financial sectors, alongside the ministries of economy, finance, and budget. Through the PAGEF project, it supports the reliability of budget forecasts, public debt management, and oversight of public entities. Through the AMRIC project, co-financed with the European Union, it supports domestic revenue mobilization, strengthens oversight bodies, and promotes tax compliance, while also engaging civil society organizations.