Guinea

Despite good energy potential, Guinea suffers from an electricity deficit linked to poor infrastructure. This is an essential sector for the country's development and is at the heart of AFD's action.

With some €200 million invested in less than ten years, AFD works to increase the transport and electricity distribution capacity by financing high-voltage lines, reinforcing substations and expanding and securing distribution networks. The objective is to promote a balanced economic development of territories and the reduction of inequalities. AFD has forged a dynamic partnership with the power utility Électricité de Guinée (EDG) and, following projects in Greater Conakry and Maritime Guinea, is planning to invest in the Guinea Forest Region.

We also operate in the water sector where our aim is to reduce technical and commercial losses in Greater Conakry. We are thereby helping the water utility, Société des Eaux de Guinée (SEG), improve its performance and develop its technical and human resources. In addition, the City of Conakry has been investing in structuring its entire solid waste management network for several years. AFD is supporting a landfill project which will address the issue of solid waste disposal.

Developing rural areas is a priority in combating poverty and enabling food sovereignty. AFD is a longstanding partner of Guinea for the implementation of its agricultural policy. Our operations focus on developing irrigated areas, opening up major production areas to facilitate access to local markets, supporting the Agricultural Statistics Service and the national agricultural and livestock census, developing a roadmap for rural land tenure, and supporting high-potential sectors, such as groundnut and rice.

We also support the family fish farming sector and ensure that the projects financed reconcile production and environmental conservation. One example is the project to develop and manage the Ziama Biosphere Reserve.

For 30 years now, we have also been supporting Crédit Rural de Guinée, the leading microfinance institution, to help rural people improve their opportunities for growth and scaling up their activity.

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.

AFD became involved in the health sector following the first Ebola epidemic, by reinforcing the laboratory ecosystem and helping to set up the Institut Pasteur of Guinea. AFD now also invests in hospital hygiene, which includes support for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

New support is also currently being deployed in the sports sector, including for girls, and the culture sector through the “Accès Culture” program.

AFD is a longstanding partner in supporting the decentralization process in Guinea. For example, through the National Agency for Local Government Financing (ANAFIC), it assists local authorities with the implementation of the transferred powers.

At the same time, AFD works to strengthen public finance management and mobilize domestic resources. To assist the “State reform”, support is also currently being provided for the public service reform. The objective is to rejuvenate and feminize the institutions receiving support.