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Keeping AFD Group’s promise
The Programming Act of 2021 on Inclusive Development and Combating Global Inequalities has made AFD Group a unique player in the development finance ecosystem. AFD Group’s three funding arms – AFD, Proparco, and Expertise France – are able to provide a comprehensive offer by combining the expertise of a public development bank, a private-sector investor, and a technical cooperation agency.
AFD finances, supports, and accelerates civil society and public-sector transition toward a more equitable and resilient world. Proparco strengthens the role of the private sector in achieving the SDGs and supports responsible economic growth. Expertise France designs and implements technical support to reinforce public policies in partner countries. Together, these complementary entities make up AFD Group and an offer like no other.
AFD Group is committed to keeping its promise through a three-pronged approach:
A more attractive and effective AFD Group offer
AFD, Proparco, and Expertise France combine their expertise in situational analysis and the development of solutions, initiatives, and mobilization to offer coordinated responses that reflect the specific contexts and needs of countries and territories. The country-level strategies offered are considered at Group level. AFD Group clients and partners have full access to the power of this combined force.
As part of the Team Europe initiative launched by the European Union, AFD Group is strengthening cooperation with European partners for the implementation of international development projects. It is also a voice for partner countries and civil society at European institutions to better represent their needs in European development policies.
At the international level, AFD Group is a member of the lnternational Development Finance Club (IDFC), a group of 26 top development banks, and the Finance in Common (FiCS) coalition to promote the alignment of the financial system with the SDGs.
A coordinated and effective steering framework
AFD Group implements its strategy via CAP27, a business project based on four principles:
- Group performance and dynamics
- Client and partner confidence
- Accountability, expertise and SDG alignment
- Working better together
This new shared steering framework makes it possible to consistently track strategic and operational objectives. CAP27 aims to strengthen agility and efficiency, update practices – in part through the careful integration of artificial intelligence (AI) – and consolidate cooperation between entities for development stakeholders.
A more responsible, accountable, and visible AFD Group
AFD, Proparco, and Expertise France share a set of values that is implemented at all their locations. Growth of AFD Group and the expansion of its role and geographical scope since 2016 has created a need to enhance skills and career management practices. AFD Group works to ensure that expertise matches project requirements while also supporting professional growth. It also supports career development, which can include in-house mobility, personalized support, and team building, as a way to enhance social cohesion and quality of life at work.
In line with the 2030 Agenda, AFD Group’s internal operations must reflect its external commitments. Sustainability reporting will begin in 2026. AFD Group has consolidated its corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy, accountability measures, and impact assessments.
AFD Group is also stepping up its communication efforts to increase visibility and understanding among different audiences about what it does, with the aim of reporting on France’s socially responsible investments as well as empowering citizens on development issues.
Innovative, forward-looking, and proactive positioning
With Expertise France, AFD Group has become a platform for mobilizing French technical expertise for sustainable development. French know-how is available to all types of stakeholders in partner countries, including ministries, local authorities, civil society, and the private sector, to support public policies.
AFD Group is also a center of innovation that operates with the following foundational tools: Expertise France projects, the Fund for Innovation in Development (FID), the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM), Digital Africa, the AFD Group Campus, and the Innovation Unit (INN).
These initiatives are a way to attract, test, and disseminate digital, democratic, social, and institutional innovation developed by partners and AFD Group in the interest of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
500 additional technical experts
will be deployed to partner institutions by 2027
AFD Group engages in forward-looking thinking to develop its future strategic orientations and strengthen its impact in a context of accelerated geopolitical, climate, economic, social, and democratic change. Considerations include the transformation of development models, the renewed mobilization of stakeholders, the role of responsible finance, governance of the commons, and strong sustainability.
