H.E. Mr. Medhat S. Lotfy, Director General of the Arab Bank for
Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), visited the Kingdom of Swaziland during
the period from 6th to 9th January 2005, within the framework of a regional
visit to some of South and East African countries during the period from 06th to
15th January 2005, which includes, in addition to the Kingdom of Swaziland, the
Republics of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Mr. Lotfy received by H.E. the Prime Minister and a number of high-ranking
officials within whose domain projects that benefit from BADEA’s financing are
either currently under implementation or under consideration. The Director
General also paid a field visit to the projects financed by BADEA like Nalangano
- Lavumisa Road Project that was completed in year 2004, and Lower Usutu
Small-Scale Irrigation Project, the implementation of which commenced lately.
Talks covered areas of cooperation between the Kingdom of Swaziland and BADEA,
with the objective of exploring the best means to promote and develop the
relations and realize the objectives of development in Swaziland.
By the end of December 2004, BADEA’s assistance to Swaziland consisted of 4
projects with total funding of US $ 23.38 million.
BADEA’s financing operations have expanded since 1975, reaching US $ 2844.643
million by end of December 2004; this includes the loans provided through SAAFA
(Special Arab Aid Fund for Africa) amounting to US $ 214.244 million. The
allocations have been earmarked to finance 355 development projects, 324
technical assistance grants, and 14 special operations (in the context of
Emergency Aid Programme benefiting several African countries affected by drought
and desertification), in addition to 59 loans extended through SAAFA.
The commitments to the technical assistance operations reached
during the same period, US $ 78.249 million dollar, earmarked to finance
feasibility studies, training and institutional support activities in general.
The commitments to the technical assistance operations reached
during the same period, US $ 78.249 million dollar, earmarked to finance
feasibility studies, training and institutional support activities in general.
BADEA’s operations cover 43 eligible countries in Sub-Saharan
Africa, in addition to a number of regional organizations in various sectors
including: infrastructure, agriculture and rural development, rural water and
electricity, rural roads, animal and fish production, energy, industry, social
and development banking, in addition to technical assistance operations.
The interventions selected for funding by BADEA are those,
which are priority of the country and are directed towards improving the living
conditions of the beneficiaries, reducing poverty and encouraging women’s
participation in development. The priority is given also to projects related to
rural development, conservation of the environment such as rural water supply,
sewerage and those aiming at reducing the adverse impact of drought and
desertification.
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