OCTOBER 2018 A bright future?A bright future? AFRICA OFID Quarterly is published four times a year by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). 4 OFID is the development finance agency established in January 1976 by the Member States of OPEC (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) to promote South-South cooperation by extending development assistance to non-OPEC developing countries.

OFID Quarterly is available free-of-charge. If you wish to be included on the distribution list, plea- se send your full mailing details COMMENT to the address below. Back issues of the magazine can be found on our Africa: Development, diversity website in PDF format. and a daunting amount to do 2 OFID Quarterly welcomes articles and photos on development-related topics, but cannot guarantee SPECIAL FEATURE: publication. Manuscripts, together with a brief biographical note on Africa: Roaring toward sustainable development the author, may be submitted or ambling into trouble? 4 to the Editor for consideration. Africa, AIDS and a gathering of experts in Amsterdam The contents of this publication 22nd International AIDS Conference 14 do not necessarily reflect the official views of OFID or its Member Africa and health: Leaders are accountable, Countries. Any maps are for says WHO Director-General 19 illustration purposes only and are not to be taken as accurate Africa, energy and the view from space 21 representations of borders. Editorial material may be freely reproduced, providing the OFID Quarterly is OFID IN THE FIELD credited as the source. A copy to the Editor would be appreciated. Moving millions of metric tons Africa and international trade 24

Good health is thirsty work Water kiosks provide affordable drinking water in Mali, Mauritania and Senegal 27

Sparking educational reform in Uganda 29

NEWSROUND

A time to say goodbye OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish retires 30

Nigeria: Scenes of peace Art and the importance of peace and stability 35 CONTENTS OCTOBER 2018

58

19 35

FRONT COVER PHOTO: FREEDOM RHYTHM BY BEN IBEBE

PERSPECTIVES Education and cultural preservation in Egypt 40 We call it a camp, but it’s really a city Boost for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Kakuma Camp: Redefining the refugee major motorway project 41 experience in Africa 60

OFID sponsors 10 remarkable young students of development 42 MEMBER STATES FOCUS

Regional Education Finance Fund for Africa 44 Art and expression in Libya 62

Boost for international trade in East and Southern Africa 45 OPEC

Keeping heads above water in the wettest capital on earth OPEC launches World Oil Outlook 2018 64 Improving living conditions for slum dwellers on Peace Island 46

Lombok earthquake response 47

Arab Coordination Group gathers PUBLISHERS for 82nd meeting in Vienna 48 THE OPEC FUND FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OFID) Parkring 8, P.O. Box 995, A-1010 Vienna, Austria Boost for Black Sea region 49 Tel: (+43-1) 51564-0; Fax: (+43-1) 51392-38 www.ofid.org

Youth + sustainable development = big potential EXECUTIVE EDITOR Fernando J Garay OFID and AIESEC’s One-Day Challenge 50 EDITOR Steve Hughes DEPUTY EDITOR Anna Ilaria-Mayrhofer OFID Diary 51 CONTRIBUTORS Fatma Elzahra Elshhati, Nadine Fattah, Meetings attended by OFID 53 Gabriel Hurtado González, Eunice Kamwendo, Silvia Mateyka, 164th Governing Board photo gallery 54 Dr Walid Mehalaine, Sasaenia Paul Oluwabunmi, Belkacem Ouzrourou, Manya Tandan, Justine Würtz, Loan signature photo gallery 56 Dr Albert G Zeufack PHOTOGRAPHS Abdullah Alipour Jeddi, Carlos Opitz (unless otherwise credited) SPOTLIGHT PRODUCTION Susanne Dillinger DESIGN etage.cc Anne-Marie Leroy on the ‘extraordinary institution’ PRINTED IN AUSTRIA Druckerei Odysseus that is the World Bank 58 This publication is printed on paper produced from responsibly managed forests. 2 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | COMMENT

Africa: Development, diversity and a daunting amount to do

he 55 countries of the African continent pages 5 to 13) and over and again you’ll hear the sometimes seem so different from one words ‘infrastructure’, ‘trade’, ‘integration’ and another it’s possible to imagine they ‘population’. Africa today still “faces widespread were grouped together at random. From poverty; unemployment; a growing population; Tthe fastest growing economy of Ethiopia in the rapid urbanization; significant infrastructure east (averaging a rate of 10.3 percent a year from deficits and sluggish economic growth from just a 2005/06 to 2015/16) to the multi-ethnic and cultur- few undiversified sectors,” says one expert inter- ally diverse federation of 36 autonomous states viewed on page 6. “We strongly believe that deep- that constitutes Nigeria in the west; from the con- ening physical and digital regional integration is flict-beset Sudan in the north, to Botswana, one of key to Africa’s economic transformation. Deeper the world’s shining development success stories, in regional integration can improve market efficien- the south – and everything in between; Africa is cy, minimize the costs of large infrastructure proj- rich in diversity. ects and optimize the use of shared natural It’s impossible to prescribe a one-size-fits-all resources in Africa,” says another. development approach for such a huge and Despite the challenges, there are already multi-faceted continent – one that’s three times the some heartening examples of innovative and sus- size of the US and home to more than one billion tainable practices on the continent, perhaps more people. It’s also a real challenge to gauge Africa’s usually associated with a certain technically adroit progress toward sustainable development, espe- American valley. Take the global leadership shown cially given the gaps in data (one report suggests by Kenya in mobile banking, for instance, the use that approximately six out of every ten SDG indi- of drones to deliver medical products in Rwanda, cators cannot be tracked in Africa due to severe or the start-up Hello Tractor that provides an data limitations, see page 11). Despite all this, it is ‘Uber-like’ solution to tractor shortages in Nigeria. possible to identify a number of development- Read more on page 8. related challenges (and opportunities) that are Then there is the African Continental Free common to many African countries. Trade Area (AfCFTA) that close to 50 African Ask any expert on African development (we Union member states signed earlier this year. have asked quite a few – see our special feature on The main objectives of the AfCFTA are to create a COMMENT | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 3

single continental market for goods and services, transportation projects, and water and sanitation with free movement of business people and invest- operations. A total of 32 African countries shared ments, and to pave the way for accelerating the the funding. establishment of the Customs Union. How will this More of OFID’s work in support of African pan out? Read more on page 12. countries can be read about on pages 24 to 29, As far as Africa’s journey toward the United including two recent commitments: US$40 million Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Agen- for a revolving trade financing facility for Export da 2063 (in 2015, African leaders adopted Agenda Trading Group (ETG) – one of Africa’s largest agri- 2063 as the continent’s new long-term vision for cultural conglomerates – and a US$60 million loan the next 50 years) goes, things become less clear. agreement with the Eastern and Southern African While some recent reports find positive progress Trade and Development Bank (TDB) in support of – “strong domestic demand, progress in the pur- international trade. We’ve also included a report suit of macroeconomic policies and efforts to about an OFID grant of US$800,000 to improve diversify national economies have been ‘major access to safe drinking water in the Senegal River drivers’ of Africa’s recent growth”, the aforemen- Basin and loans to support gender neutral educa- tioned deficiencies in data make it difficult to get tion in Uganda. a good view of exactly where we’re at. What does OFID also recognizes the importance of cul- appear painfully clear, however, is that there is a ture in sustainable development – viewing it as daunting amount of work still to be done. the fourth pillar of development, in addition to the OFID is committed to supporting this journey three widely-recognized economic, social and toward sustainable development, no matter how environmental pillars. In September, OFID hosted challenging it proves to be. In 2017, the organiza- an exhibition of Nigerian art to showcase the work tion approved US$695.6 million for development of four talented artists. A work called Freedom operations in Africa – representing 46 percent of Rhythm by one of the exhibiting artists – Ben OFID’s financing commitments for the year. The Ibebe – adorns the cover of this magazine. Read operations supported by these funds included more about the exhibition on page 35. N solar, wind and clean cooking energy initiatives, irrigation, drainage and livestock initiatives, 4 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 PHOTO: ZOCHA_K/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO:

SPECIAL FEATURE

Africa: Roaring toward sustainable development or ambling into trouble?

A growing population, rapid urbanization and significant gaps in infrastructure are just three of the many challenges that require targeted development policies now if Africa is to roar toward the 2030 Sustainable

Development Goals and beyond. BY STEVE HUGHES 6 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | SPECIAL FEATURE

The OFID Quarterly asked the Dr Albert G Zeufack, World Bank At the World Bank, we strongly believe that deepening three pictured Africa development physical and digital regional integration is key to Africa’s economic transformation. Deeper regional integration experts to ruminate on the continent’s can improve market efficiency, minimize the costs of current and future potential and large infrastructure projects and optimize the use of shared natural resources in Africa. As an example, inte- select shining stars from among grated power trade in West Africa could lead to cost savings of US$5-8 billion per year. Africa’s 55 constituent countries. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (see page 12), which opens doors to a potential single market of 1.2 billion people worth a combined GDP of US$2.2 tril- lion, is also a great step forward. But much work remains to be done to address the challenge of market segmenta- tion and ‘thick’ borders that plague Africa. We need to go On considering Africa as a ‘region’… beyond reducing tariffs to eliminating non-tariff barriers and allowing free circulation of people to make this Eunice Kamwendo, UNDP dream a reality. Most importantly, we need to foster Afri- I will begin from a positive note: considering Africa as ca’s digital integration. Digital dividends are potentially a region helps in visualizing African challenges from a huge for Africa. But we’ll only be able to reap these common platform; and it enhances unity of purpose and returns if we have the appropriate digital infrastructure the development of common solutions to continental / “Africa’s and a conducive policy environment. Since 2005, the regional / sub-regional challenges. That approach en- socio- World Bank is one of the major players fostering regional hances development cooperation, the pooling of funds economic integration in Africa, and we intend to continue this and expertise, and helps reduce costs for large projects. challenges effort, in partnership with countries, sub-regional insti- On the other hand, given the diversity of African tutions and the African Union. countries in terms of peace, levels of growth and human are deeply development, taking Africa as a whole masks differences, structural.” makes it difficult to target development policy / assistance Eunice Kamwendo, On the main challenges and / or opportu- and can promote a sense of complacency among countries. UNDP Africa SDG Policy Advisor nities related to development in Africa… There are many big differences between countries and sub-regions that make for important policy distinctions. Eunice Kamwendo, UNDP For example, North Africa is distinctly different from Africa’s socio-economic challenges are deeply structural. sub-Saharan Africa in terms of levels of development, Significant transformation of Africa’s economic base and governance and culture; and sub-regions and individual its structures is required in order to drive positive results countries within sub-Saharan Africa are different from in socio-economic indicators. As a whole, Africa today each other. faces widespread poverty; unemployment; a growing population; rapid urbanization; significant infrastruc- Belkacem Ouzrourou, OFID ture deficits; and sluggish economic growth from just a For a continent of one billion people, three times the size few undiversified sectors. Although growth prospects of the US, it’s quite problematic to call it by one single name are picking up from the 2016 global slump (from 2.2 – Africa. In reality, Africa is a grouping of 55 countries percent to 4.1 percent in 2018), this is far from sufficient (16 of them are landlocked) ranging in diversity from the and well short of the SDGs’ growth target (7 percent). The region’s largest economies of Angola, Nigeria, and South continent needs to make the right investments in produc- Africa, to many more fragile countries where drought, tive capacities to make an impact on its socio-economic conflict and worsening security conditions weigh heavily development pathway. Africa’s growing population, its on economic activity. But we must keep in mind that, just youth ‘bulge’ and plentiful natural resources can benefit as the United Nations notes, the assignment of countries and power the continent’s development once constraints or areas to specific groupings – like ‘Africa’ or ‘North to growth are removed. Africa’ – is primarily for statistical convenience only. Each African region and country must be considered sepa- Belkacem Ouzrourou, OFID rately if we’re to arrive at a more complete picture in terms Without question, one of the main challenges is the of policy options and prospects for socio-economic devel- continent’s infrastructure gap. Good and well main- opment and growth. tained infrastructure, especially transport, energy, SPECIAL FEATURE | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 7

and water and sanitation, is critical for the attainment of the SDGs. Indeed, sub-standard roads, ports and airports add to the cost of producing and exporting, and provide obstacles to regional and global trade. PHOTO: LAMINE BAL About 600 million Africans lack access to electricity and more than 80 percent of them rely on biomass as their main source of energy. Also, access to water and sanitation is a major issue, particularly in rural areas. It is estimated that closing the infrastructure gap in Africa would need about US$90 to US$110 billion annu- ally. This inhibits economic growth and means that development is more difficult. But where there is a challenge, there is also an opportunity. Infrastructure projects are attracting development institutions such as ourselves as well as other private partners (as an example, during the last three years, OFID alone has approved about US$745 million for the development of Eunice Kamwendo, UNDP Africa SDG Policy Advisor infrastructure in Africa). This is necessary because “It is governments alone can’t shoulder the responsibility estimated for such a huge gap in funding. They have other focus that closing areas too, such as carefully managing external debt to the infra- keep it at sustainable levels. structure gap Dr Albert G Zeufack, World Bank in Africa The good news is that growth is rebounding in sub- would need Saharan Africa. The region’s GDP growth is projected to about US$90 reach between 3.1 and 3.5 percent in 2018, and to average 3.6 percent in 2019–20. While this growth rate is still far to US$110 from the average of the past two decades, it’s a clear billion relief from 2016 when sub-Saharan Africa only grew at annually.” 1.3 percent. African governments, especially those in oil Belkacem Ouzrourou, rich countries where growth is still sluggish, must speed OFID Director, up and deepen macroeconomic and structural reforms. Africa Region Oil-producing countries will also need to pay particular attention to the challenging task of diversifying their Belkacem Ouzrourou, OFID Director, Africa Region economies to reduce growth volatility. In addition, recent major political changes in key countries like Ethiopia, Angola or South Africa, are an opportunity to revive reforms and boost investors’ confidence and growth. However, some challenges remain. First, African coun- tries need to pay attention to the rising public debt rela- tive to GDP. This is very important as the composition of PHOTO: THE WORLD BANK debt has changed, with countries shifting away from traditional concessional sources of financing and toward more market-based ones. In March 2018, 18 countries were classified at high-risk of debt distress compared with eight in 2013. A second challenge is that African countries must equip the 11 million youth who will enter the job market every year for the next decade with the right skills and training. Investing in human capital will be a key factor of success. Harnessing the potential of new technologies and fully embracing innovation perhaps represents the biggest opportunity of all for Dr Albert G Zeufack, the World Bank’s Chief Economist for Africa Africa. E 8 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | SPECIAL FEATURE

F On Africa’s progress toward the UN SDGs On ‘shining stars’ in Africa… and Africa’s own Agenda 2063… (see page 13) Eunice Kamwendo, UNDP Eunice Kamwendo, UNDP Overall, North Africa’s performance is better (looking at There are reasons to be optimistic for the future if the aggregate development indicators) when compared with right investments are made within and across countries sub-Saharan Africa, although there are instances, geared toward the achievement of the SDGs and Agenda depending on the indicator one is looking at, that other 2063. Investments in developing Africa’s infrastructure sub-regions within Africa are also doing well. For and industrializing its agriculture sector will create suf- “Among several example, although economic growth was subdued in all ficient jobs for the majority of Africans and could reduce possible exam- regions in 2015, West Africa outperformed all the other widespread poverty on the continent (41 percent in 2016). ples, I would sub-regions (including North Africa) in Africa. This Progress is being seen in other indicators such as overall mention the achievement was buoyed by strong performances in Côte human development in education, health and gender; and global leader- d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Senegal and Togo; and this in governance. Challenges remain with regard to food ship taken by in spite of downturns in Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra security, access to energy, infrastructure development, Kenya in mobile Leone. Strong growth rates in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozam- reducing inequalities, maintaining sustainable cities and banking, the bique, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania also shored up East conservation of the environment. great innova- Africa’s growth prospects to an average of 6.76 percent tion in the use in the same year. On the other hand, while the GDP Belkacem Ouzrourou, OFID growth rate for North Africa was very low as a region at of drones to The SDGs comprise ambitious targets – as does Africa’s -2.8 percent in 2014, robust growth in Algeria, Egypt and deliver medical own development agenda. On the up side, Africa has enor- Morocco pushed the regional average up to 3.4 percent mous assets for addressing its sustainable development products in in 2015. Similar examples exist in other indicators (like requirements. These include a young and enterprising Rwanda, or the education, health and inequalities, among others) showing population, natural resources, fast-growing and dynamic start-up Hello the different progress within sub-regions and across economies and rapid urbanization. But it must capitalize Tractor that countries. on these assets. Launching Africa’s Development Dynamics provides an 2018 report, Victor Harison, Commissioner of Economic ‘Uber-like’ solu- Belkacem Ouzrourou, OFID Affairs of the African Union Commission, was quoted as tion to tractor There are many shining stars. Rwanda has been able to saying: “…far too often, public policies have failed to lever- shortages in make important economic and structural reforms, and age these assets effectively. The implementation of the Nigeria.” sustain its economic growth rates over the last decade. reform program as set out in Agenda 2063 requires an Dr Albert G Zeufack, These growth rates have been accompanied by substan- increase in government capacities, greater responsibility, the World Bank’s Chief tial improvements in living standards. Ethiopia’s economy transparency, coordination and the promotion of institu- Economist for Africa experienced strong, broad-based growth averaging 10.3 tional action.” The report proposed there was still signif- percent a year from 2005/06 to 2015/16, compared to a icant work to do on sustainable economic development, regional average of 5.4 percent*. Again, economic growth social development (including to expand and improve brought positive trends in poverty reduction in both education) and on strengthening institutions (including urban and rural areas. In 2000, 55.3 percent of Ethiopians broad ranging strategic aims, like improving Africa’s lived in extreme poverty; by 2011 this figure was 33.5 partnerships with the rest of the world). percent*. There are many more success stories, such as Botswana, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Côte D’Ivoire, which has followed a National Development Plan designed to transform the country into a middle-income economy by Bill Gates on Africa 2020 and further reduce the poverty rate. These coun- As this magazine was going to press, the UK’s The Guardian news- tries need to sustain the focus and momentum and inspire paper carried an article entitled ‘What worries Bill Gates most?’ those around them. *Figures from the World Bank The answer? The booming population of Africa, which “looms over his foundation’s latest global survey”. By the end of this Dr Albert G Zeufack, World Bank century, the newspaper reported, there will be four billion more Among several possible examples, I would mention the people on Earth – and three billion of these extra people will be global leadership taken by Kenya in mobile banking, the born in Africa. The challenge, according to Bill Gates, is that great innovation in the use of drones to deliver medical “Africa must almost quadruple its agricultural productivity to feed products in Rwanda, or the start-up Hello Tractor that pro- itself. That’s very daunting.” vides an ‘Uber-like’ solution to tractor shortages in Nigeria. These examples need to be scaled-up across Africa to boost productivity across and within sectors, SPECIAL FEATURE | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 9

and accelerate growth. In terms of country examples, Africa: A continent of many countries Ethiopia’s growth remains high, as government-led infra- structure investment continues. The strides toward export diversification in Ethiopia are also worth noting. Appropriate macroeconomic and structural policies must MAP SOURCE: PETER HERMES FURIAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM continue to be implemented to sustain this effort. Rwanda has also invested significantly in infrastructure and implementing policies to transform the country into a knowledge-based, service economy. Finally, solid growth, supported by infrastructure investment, continues in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), led by Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.

On how the international community can support Africa…

Eunice Kamwendo, UNDP Africa’s development vision is well articulated through Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063. The international community’s support needs to align to such analysis and visions to realize the much- needed transformative shifts within Africa. To this end, critical support would have to be channeled toward the The following is an alpha- following: financing, investments, technology transfer betical list of sub-regions and partnerships to support infrastructure development used by the United Nations and industrialization; domestic resource mobilization Statistics Division in its efforts through policy advice and other special support publications and databases – measures (including international trade) to crowd in source unstats.un.org domestic resources and expand African countries’ fiscal spaces; overseas development aid, since a lot of countries L Northern Africa L Middle Africa Seychelles still need such support (like catalytic financing); and tar- Algeria Angola Somalia geted financing for resilience building to strengthen Egypt Cameroon South Sudan institutions and deal with climate change, health-related Libya Central African Uganda outbreaks and other shocks. Morocco Republic Tanzania Sudan Chad Zambia Tunisia Congo Zimbabwe Belkacem Ouzrourou, OFID DR Congo Support of the international community alone will not L Western Africa Equatorial Guinea L Southern Africa be sufficient. It is imperative that more domestic re- Benin Gabon Botswana Eswatini sources from both private and public sectors be mobilized. Burkina Faso Sao Tome and Principe Cabo Verde Lesotho In 2017, my organization, OFID, approved more than Côte d’Ivoire L Eastern Africa Namibia US$913 million for development projects in Africa. A good Gambia Burundi South Africa proportion of this financing supported international Ghana Comoros trade and infrastructure – two essential ingredients for Guinea Djibouti Sub-Saharan Africa Guinea-Bissau Eritrea The designation sub- socio-economic development. OFID is also clear that Liberia Ethiopia Saharan Africa is com- rather than driving a mandate, it will act in response to Mali Kenya monly used to indicate the priorities of developing countries. This means the Mauritania Madagascar all of Africa except onus is on the leaders and governments of individual Niger Malawi northern Africa, with Nigeria Mauritius the Sudan included in African countries to design their development plans and Senegal Mozambique sub-Saharan Africa. define investment priorities correctly. Capacity building Sierra Leone Réunion is also important to ensure that development operations Togo Rwanda are successfully implemented and, once completed, they are properly managed in order to ensure their long-term Please note: this map is for illustration only and is not to be taken as an accurate representation of borders. sustainability. N Africa’s integration into the global economy

Growth Trade Since 2000, Africa's GDP has tripled Africa has diversi­ed its trade partnerships

Africa tripled its trade with In 2016, Africa’s trade Latin America Developing Asia Africa China, India and other with emerging partners and the Caribbean emerging partners accounted for:

USD 806 billion +7.2% +4.6% 51% 46% per +2.8% USD 276 billion of its of its year exports imports

2000 2016

Employment Inequality Poverty

Africa's Gini Extreme poverty levels decreased, 66% Vulnerable coef­cient average but more people are living on USD 1.90 a day or less Total Inequality Other 41 points Extreme poverty Extreme poor levels 395 35 points 45% million 280 Agenda 2063's target for 35% million vulnerable employment of by 2023 is

still41% far away Asia Africa 1990 2013 1990 2013

Policy options for better growth

Deepening regional integration Helping African producers Unlocking private ­nance could boost Africa’s GDP by 1%, tap fast-growing for productive investment total employment by 1.2% domestic markets and intra-African trade by 33%

Demand for food products USD USD alone is expected 422 185 to triple by 2030 billion billion

Domestic External nancial savings inows

SOURCE: AUC/OECD 2018 SPECIAL FEATURE | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 11

Africa’s integration into Africa’s development dynamics: the global economy A remarkable emergence

his summer, the African Union ties resulting from the continent’s that Africa’s growth has not created T Commission, working in part- “remarkable emergence”. enough decent jobs, and around 282 Growth Trade nership with the OECD Development The report found that, among million people are currently working Since 2000, Africa's GDP has tripled Africa has diversi­ed its trade partnerships Centre, produced its first annual other things, strong domestic demand, in unstable employment. economic report called Africa’s progress in the pursuit of macroeco- The report intends to play a Development Dynamics 2018. The nomic policies and efforts to diversify part in furthering the project to Africa tripled its trade with In 2016, Africa’s trade Latin America China, India and other with emerging partners report’s high-level finding was that national economies have been “major integrate and transform Africa as Developing Asia Africa emerging partners accounted for: and the Caribbean Africa needs more coherent devel- drivers” of Africa’s recent growth, set out by the adoption of Agenda opment strategies that prioritize im- which is forecast to reach 4 percent 2063 in January 2015 and of the USD 806 billion proved public action to address the annually between 2018 and 2020. Continental Free Trade Area in +7.2% +4.6% 51% 46% per +2.8% USD 276 growth, employment and inequali- On the down side, the report finds March 2018 (see page 12). billion of its of its year exports imports

2000 2016 Africa: Progress on the SDGs and Agenda 2063

Employment Inequality Poverty he 2017 Africa Sustainable all levels of the agricultural produc- 6. Enforcing road safety regulations T Development Report* considers tion chain.” mediates the impact of alcohol Africa's Gini Extreme poverty levels decreased, 66% regional progress made toward Some of the key messages and consumption on deaths due to Vulnerable coef­cient average but more people are living Agenda 2063 and the SDGs since findings of the report are summa- road traffic injuries. on USD 1.90 a day or less their adoption in 2013 and 2015. rized below. 7. Weak infrastructure and limited Total Inequality Other The findings of the report For more information, please see manufacturing value addition 41 points Extreme poverty Extreme poor levels are broadly in line with Africa’s www.africa.undp.org are undermining overall job 395 Development Dynamics 2018: despite growth. 35 points 45% million 280 the accelerated growth enjoyed over 1. Slow progress made in reducing 8. Limited investment in research Agenda 2063's target for 35% million the past decade, progress toward poverty and inequality owing Despite the and development obstructs pros- vulnerable employment poverty reduction in Africa has been to limited decent employment accelerated pects for innovation and technolo- of by 2023 is slow. It notes the disproportionate opportunities and weak social growth gy development. still41% far away Asia Africa 1990 2013 1990 2013 prevalence of poverty among wom- insurance mechanisms. enjoyed over 9. Significant increases in the cover- en and youth and highlights the lack 2. Rising food insecurity and age of mobile cellular services of inclusiveness and sustainability undernourishment are a growing the past is an opportunity for social and Policy options for better growth of primary commodity driven concern in Africa (excluding decade, prog- financial inclusion. growth. North Africa). ress toward Deepening regional integration Helping African producers Unlocking private ­nance Africa’s infrastructure deficits 3. Agricultural value added is poverty It’s worth keeping in mind, how- could boost Africa’s GDP by 1%, tap fast-growing for productive investment are again highlighted, and accord- rising, but remains low, due in reduction in ever, that the usefulness of the 2017 ing to this report, they “…undermine part to limited irrigation coverage Africa Sustainable Development total employment by 1.2% domestic markets Africa has and intra-African trade by 33% industrial development and under- and declining investment in the Report, like many other SDG-related line the stagnation in value addition sector. been slow. studies, is marred by the availability in manufacturing”. Even though 4. Gender disparities in education of data. In its Foreword, the report’s value addition in agriculture has and national parliaments are publishers acknowledge that: been rising, the report states “…it declining, but conservative norms “Approximately six out of every ten Demand for remains substantially low by global and practices are holding back SDG indicators cannot be tracked in food products USD USD standards due in part to limited progress. Africa due to severe data limita- alone is expected 422 185 investments and inefficiencies at 5. Measures aimed at improving tions. Strengthening statistical sys- billion billion to triple by 2030 access to contraceptives and tems in Africa is an imperative for * By the African Union, Economic skilled birth attendants have successful implementation of the Commission for Africa, African Domestic External nancial reduced adolescent births and SDGs and Agenda 2063 as it under- savings inows Development Bank and United Nations Development Programme child and maternal deaths. pins evidence based policy making.” 12 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | SPECIAL FEATURE

Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area and ‘the Africa we want’

n 2015, African leaders adopted business people and investments, challenges to expect. “For Africa, a I Agenda 2063 as the continent’s and pave the way for accelerating clear determination to expand trade new long-term vision for the next the establishment of the Customs among ourselves is an important 50 years. Led by African Union Union. A press release issued by the step,” he said. “…Africa trading Commission (AUC) Chairperson Dr Union included a prominent note among its component states strength- Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Agenda to editors, which read: “The African ens its ability to trade. The experi- 2063 aims to optimize the use of Continental Free Trade Area Proto- ences gained from that will deliver a Africa’s resources for the benefit of col is a Means towards Building greater market share internationally. the continent’s people. The NEPAD the Africa we want.” The Africa needs to build the capacity Agency, the implementing agency of Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chair- African and structural transformation neces- the African Union, has been tasked person of the African Union Com- sary to be a competitive international with fast-tracking the implementa- mission, announced recently that Continental player. The creation of a continent tion and monitoring of major conti- the establishment of the AfCFTA Free Trade with a free trade area is therefore nental development programs and will result in a unified market Area an important step towards building, frameworks, including Agenda 2063 of over 1.2 billion people with a Protocol collectively, the competitiveness of and the Sustainable Development combined gross product of over African labor and African products Goals (SDGs). See www.nepad.org US$3 trillion. He added that it would is a means internally and internationally.” for more. also result in an increase in intra- towards Close to 50 African Union African trade of 52 percent by 2022 building the * The Africa Renewal information pro- Member States are reported to have and culminate in substantial im- ‘Africa we gram, produced by the Africa Section signed the African Continental provements of the lives of Africans. want’ of the United Nations Department of Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in In a recent interview with Africa Public Information, provides informa- March 2018. Renewal*, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, Secre- tion and analysis of the major economic According to the African Union tary-General of UNCTAD (the main and development challenges facing Commission website, the main objec- United Nations body dealing with Africa today. Among the major items tives of the AfCFTA are to create a trade, investment and development it produces is the magazine, Africa single continental market for goods issues) spoke about what countries Renewal (formerly Africa Recovery), and services, with free movement of stand to gain from AfCFTA and what which first appeared in 1987.

Agenda 2063 is Africa’s long-term

vision for the ALREWEIE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM WAEL PHOTO: next decades. Africa’s development agendas side by side 1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all 4. Transformed economies and job creation 5. Modern agriculture for increased productivity and production 6. Blue / ocean economy for accelerated economic growth AGENDA 8. United Africa (federal or confederate) 2030 AGENDA 2063 GOALS 10. World class infrastructure crisscrosses Africa GOAL 19. Africa as a major partner in global affairs and peaceful co-existence

1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all 1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all 5. Modern agriculture for increased productivity and production 8. United Africa (federal or confederate) 7. Environmentally sustainable climate resilient economies and communities 16. African cultural renaissance is pre-eminent 17. Full gender equality in all spheres of life 20. Africa takes full responsibility for financing her development

1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all 1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all 3. Healthy and well-nourished citizens 7. Environmentally sustainable climate resilient economies and communities 4. Transformed economies and job creation 10. World class infrastructure crisscrosses Africa 5. Modern agriculture for increased productivity and production 12. Capable institutions and transformed leadership in place at all levels 7. Environmentally sustainable climate resilient economies and communities 16. African cultural renaissance is pre-eminent 8. United Africa (Federal or Confederate)

3. Healthy and well-nourished citizens 1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all 7. Environmentally sustainable climate resilient economies and communities 4. Transformed economies and job creation 17. Full gender equality in all spheres of life 5. Modern agriculture for increased productivity and production 7. Environmentally sustainable climate resilient economies and communities 12. Capable institutions and transformed leadership in place at all levels 16. African cultural renaissance is pre-eminent

1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all 5. Modern agriculture for increased productivity and production 2. Well educated citizens and skills revolution underpinned by science, 7. Environmentally sustainable climate resilient economies and communities technology and innovation 12. Capable institutions and transformed leadership in place at all levels 16. African cultural renaissance is pre-eminent 17. Full gender equality in all spheres of life 18. Engaged and empowered youth and children

3. Healthy and well-nourished citizens 4. Transformed economies and job creation 5. Modern agriculture for increased productivity and production 6. Blue / ocean economy for accelerated economic growth 10. World class infrastructure crisscrosses Africa 7. Environmentally sustainable climate resilient economies 17. Full gender equality in all spheres of life and communities

1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all 7. Environmentally sustainable climate resilient economies 7. Environmentally sustainable climate resilient economies and communities and communities

1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all 11. Democratic values, practices, universal principles of human rights, 6. Blue / ocean economy for accelerated economic growth justice and the rule of law entrenched 7. Environmentally sustainable climate resilient economies and communities 12. Capable institutions and transformed leadership in place at all levels 10. World class infrastructure crisscrosses Africa 13. Peace, security and stability are preserved 17. Full gender equality in all spheres of life 18. Engaged and empowered youth and children

1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all 1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all 2. Transformed economies and job creation 4. Transformed economies and job creation 12. Capable institutions and transformed leadership in place at all levels 10. World class infrastructure crisscrosses Africa 16. African cultural renaissance is pre-eminent 12. Capable institutions and transformed leadership in place at all levels 17. Full gender equality in all spheres of life 19. Africa as a major partner in global affairs and peaceful co-existence 18. Engaged and empowered youth and children 20. Africa takes full responsibility for financing her development

SOURCE: AFRICA SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2017 PHOTO: MARCUS ROSE/IAS Africa, AIDS and a gathering of experts in Amsterdam

Africa is the region most affected by HIV / AIDS. Though it continues to be a major public health problem, the continent (and other regions of the world) has made important progress in prevention and treatment. But human rights violations and discrimination continue to undermine this progress, making Breaking Barriers – Building Bridges, the theme of the recent 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) in Amsterdam, a highly appropriate focus. OFID Quarterly Deputy Editor Anna Ilaria-Mayrhofer reports … SPECIAL FEATURE | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 15

IDS 2018 brought to- account for 20 percent of the global gether one of the world’s estimate of injecting drug users – largest gatherings of in terms of risks, these women have leading HIV experts and a greater vulnerability to HIV and Aheard how, despite groundbreaking other blood-borne infections than medical research and highly-effective men*. ROSE/IAS MARCUS PHOTO: prevention and treatment options, Soltani explained that in many gains are slow in reaching the countries, the gender-specific needs most vulnerable and marginalized of women in prisons are not ad- populations such as sex workers, dressed. Many women are pregnant migrants, transgender people, drug or give birth in prisons; others are users, and women and children. incarcerated with their children and A plenary session organized limited health services are available. Fariba Soltani jointly by OFID, the International To help change this situation, alternatives to imprisonment for AIDS Society (IAS) and the Global she said, it is essential to develop women; and supported meaningful Institute for Health and Human gender-responsive HIV prevention engagement of civil society and Rights brought together top HIV / and care programs for these community-based organizations AIDS-focused legal and medical women, including developing and representing women. experts, including Fariba Soltani, implementing alternatives to One of the project’s most notable a Senior Expert from the United imprisonment. achievements was its instrumental Nations Office on Drugs and Crime A UNODC project launched in role in bringing about legal and (UNODC). 2008 and supported by OFID (via policy reforms that are being Soltani highlighted the gender grants totaling US$1.2 million) ad- applied in various health care set- specific barriers that limit access to dressed HIV issues among women tings in the targeted countries. It is life-saving HIV services for women who use drugs and women in clear that legal and policy reforms who use drugs – and who are in prisons in Afghanistan, Nepal and and bringing together law enforce- prisons. These include stigma, dis- Pakistan. This initiative – the first ment officials, health care workers crimination, gender-based violence of its kind in these countries – in- and other stakeholders to share the OFID and lack of gender-responsive cluded approaches that: ensured responsibility are key to success, helped services. HIV / AIDS policies and programs noted Soltani. to organize Although fewer women use and were gender responsive; supported a plenary inject drugs than men – women more humane approaches, such as *UNODC World Drug Report 2018 session. PHOTO: OFID/ANNA ILARIA-MAYRHOFER OFID/ANNA PHOTO: 16 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | SPECIAL FEATURE

OFID, AIDS 2018 and beyond we have already achieved and are also looking to provide a systematic approach to the prevention of hepatitis and other communicable OFID Technical Assistance Grant Officer Shirin diseases in healthcare settings. Hashemzadeh made the opening remarks at the Because our resources represent OFID / IAS Special Session at AIDS 2018 (see box). only a small portion of worldwide funding to combat HIV, we concen- Here, she talks with the OFID Quarterly about trate on areas where existing funds OFID’s involvement in combating HIV / AIDS. are insufficient and we support cases that aim at ensuring cost- effectiveness for high impact pro- grams in low- and middle-income OFID is a development finance countries. We support expanding organization that has been in busi- simplified HIV treatments and ness for 42 years with a mandate improved and effective use of inter- to eradicate poverty. We have pro- ventions to prevent new infections. vided more than US$22 billion in We finance projects that apply financing for development projects combination treatments and address in over 130 countries around the HIV / AIDS in association with other world, of which US$664.3 million ‘dual epidemic’ scenarios such as has been in the form of grants. ILARIA-MAYRHOFER OFID/ANNA PHOTO: NCDs and hepatitis B / C. We became involved in combat- We will continue our practice ing HIV because of its impact on of selecting our projects based on development. At the beginning of their ability to enhance community the millennium we witnessed how responses to HIV and supporting devastating the pandemic was in grass-roots organizations and undoing decades of progress. As a communities on the front line consequence, under special health (of which women make up about programs (including HIV / AIDS, 50 percent). non-communicable diseases [NCDs], and neglected tropical diseases [NTDs]), OFID has committed Shirin Hashemzadeh US$98.9 million to 62 operations across the globe. This represents 25 percent of our total grant commitments. Combating HIV and AIDS in conservative social settings Jointly with OFID’s global part- ners such as WHO and UNODC, as The IAS in partnership with the Global Institute for Health and Human Rights well as UNAIDS and the Internation- (GIHHR) with support from OFID held a special session that focused on a ‘Call to al Labor Organization (ILO), we help Action’ for governments, lawmakers and stakeholders to remove legal barriers to beneficiary countries accelerate health and human rights relating to HIV and AIDS care in conservative social their progress by providing finance settings. to improve the efficiency and effec- OFID has been supporting initiatives aimed at addressing HIV-related challenges tiveness of HIV prevention and in conservative social settings since 2014. A regional consultation process was launched treatment programs and to support with the IAS which led to the identification of a range of recommendations presented even better prevention methods. during the AIDS conferences held in 2014 in Melbourne and in 2016 in Durban. OFID’s approach to health proj- Building on this, a consultation on HIV in Conservative Social Settings was held ects is in line with the WHO’s newly in Beirut, Lebanon in January 2018. The special session at the AIDS 2018 conference adopted strategy that strives to presented the outcomes of this consultation for discussion. achieve the Sustainable Develop- ment Goals and universal health See bit.ly/ANALYSISTOACTION for more information. coverage. We encourage cross sec- toral interventions to build on what SPECIAL FEATURE | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 17

OFID-sponsored delegates to their antiretroviral regime – particularly when they are away at boarding school. In one of my projects, there- share their experiences fore, we’re organizing forums among parents / caregivers, health service providers, counselors and social workers OIFD sponsored over 70 delegates from to discuss how we can best support these children. developing countries to attend the Amsterdam I’m glad these issues are being highlighted at this con- conference – the majority were from Africa. ference. I’ve been happy to see how engaged the young people are – they are open, free and eager to gain access Here’s what some of them had to say, as told to to sexual rights, education, reproductive services. At one Anna Ilaria-Mayrhofer session [#PassTheMic: Meaningful youth participation in the fight against HIV] panelists were very expressive when describing their work with adolescents. In fact, this Leonarda Pastory has given me the inspiration to create a WhatsApp group Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, for young people to interact with one another – to ask Tanzania, Coordinator for adolescent and questions and get the information they need. This will be youth-friendly health services the first thing that I do when I return home. My organization is supporting government ef- forts to provide HIV / AIDS care and treatment Patience Atuhaire services in 19 countries worldwide. In Tanza- Makerere University, nia, my organization operates in six areas in Johns Hopkins Research, the northern and central regions. We provide ILARIA-MAYRHOFER OFID/ANNA PHOTOS: Uganda integrated HIV / AIDS health services that I’m a study coordinator focus on the prevention of mother-to-child and medical officer in- transmission and providing young children volved in HIV and tuber- and adolescents with HIV / tuberculosis treatment. culosis (TB) research tri- Adolescents, as a special group, are offered access to als. During the confer- youth-friendly services including information about sex- ence I hope to gain ual and reproductive health and care and treatment for knowledge about new those living with HIV and AIDS. Being at this conference anti-retroviral therapy (ART) strategies for women and has been very helpful in learning more about dealing children and about the drugs’ safety – especially their with adolescents, as many of them don’t have the right interaction with drugs used for treating TB. This will help information when it comes to these issues. me with the management, follow-up and severe adverse In my country, discussing these topics is still taboo – event reporting of clinical trial participants. many parents are not open with their children – so we are My current work focuses on women and children as striving to bring health education to schools. Many teach- they are particularly vulnerable in low resource settings. ers haven’t been ready to accept this – they say this will Most of the time they have no one to look after them; they promote bad behavior. But since Tanzania has one of the “In my are trying to cope with different socioeconomic problems highest teenage pregnancy rates on the African conti- and from time to time need a hand. This includes advising nent, it’s crucial we bridge this gap. country them about their drug regimens, discussing interventions We also have a communication gap with parents. So discussing regarding the prevention of mother-to-child HIV trans- we first began orienting primary and secondary school these topics mission, counseling, issues regarding breast-feeding and teachers about sexual and reproductive health and we’ve is still nutrition. In Uganda, we have very high rates of stunting seen some changes in attitudes. taboo.” among children…this isn’t just due to HIV but under-nu- And since the teachers are close to the parents, it’s trition in general. easier to arrange for a meeting with them together with Leonarda Pastory At AIDS 2018, I’ve been attending sessions relating to our health service providers. Now, the providers can policy, science and biomedical innovations. What has come to the schools and offer health education, including amazed me about the conference is its diversity – the glob- family planning, and teachers can direct the students to al village and all these different advocacy groups. This additional services, such as HIV care and treatment at the brings an interesting aspect to the management of HIV / nearest health facility. AIDS as we often get stuck in the scientific aspects. What’s most important is to engage with the parents The sponsorship has been very important to me – I’ve and empower adolescents. So we’ve planned meeting par- met researchers from across the African continent; from ents and children to discuss what kind of support is need- the US and Europe; professors from different universities; ed. We’re seeing adolescents facing challenges in adhering and people doing research similar to mine. If it wasn’t E 18 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | SPECIAL FEATURE

F for this conference I’d never have had the chance to meet them. Collaborations are very important – I’ve been able to interact with these experts in the field and this has helped me gain more knowledge regarding the different successes and challenges in my area of research.

Maliness Banda Baylor College of Medicine, Children’s Foundation, Malawi HELPING TO CHANGE PERCEPTIONS – AND LIVES I’m a life skills coach / counselor working with At first glance, it looks like an abstract slogan. But U=U, or Undetect- children and adolescents able = Untransmittable, is a key public health message coined by the living with HIV. One of Prevention Access Campaign – a global health equity initiative that will our projects is a special change the way society views those living with HIV. ‘Teen Club’ initiative The campaign aims to broadcast a simple message to all: people where fully disclosed, with HIV can live long, healthy lives, and not worry about passing on HIV-affected adolescents their infection, so long as they receive the correct treatment. U=U aims meet at a designated health facility once a month – on to reduce stigma and discrimination, and the science supporting the ini- Saturdays, so they don’t miss school. We bring them tiative is changing the lives of millions of people living with HIV. together to teach them about their health, refill their anti- Prevention Access Campaign, an ever-growing global community of retrovirals (ARTs) and help them cope with psychosocial researchers, scientists, activists, advocates and community partners, issues – and also to just have fun. launched a Consensus Statement in 2017 that has been endorsed by We also provide counseling through a special teen more than 700 organizations in 100 countries as well as a number of hotline so they can immediately seek help. As counselors, leading experts in the medical community: People living with HIV on ART we are specially trained to help them in difficult situa- [anti-retrovirals] with an undetectable viral load in their blood have a neg- tions. Some of the issues they are experiencing relate to ligible risk of sexual transmission of HIV…” being stigmatized and bullied or being kicked out of their The statement is backed up by an extensive range of studies that homes – as well as experiencing sexual assault. analyzed viral loads in ‘semidiscordant’ partners (an HIV positive indi- Those facing stigmatization at school are encouraged vidual with a HIV negative partner). Data from both heterosexual and to stay in school. We try to empower them…to give them homosexual couples were studied. Results revealed zero transmission hope and tell them to ‘let it go’ and focus on their educa- rates to HIV negative partners – as long as the HIV positive individuals tion. In one case, a high school student was suffering from had low viral loads and had been taking their daily ARTs for a minimum such severe stress and depression that she was contem- of six months. plating suicide after her classmates saw her taking her World-renown infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci, Director ARTs and began bullying her. Fortunately, she called us of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the and we had her come to the clinic so we could talk to her. National Institute of Health states: “From a practical standpoint, the risk Then we, along with our social workers, spoke with school is zero … the science really does verify and validate that U=U.” management and eventually we helped her transfer to Such groundbreaking news deserves the spotlight, and AIDS 2018 another school so she could have a fresh start. helped publicize the campaign, with a pre-conference session ‘U=U At Baylor, we’re working with around 800 adolescents 2018: Celebrate, activate and implement!’ living with HIV. We tell them that they can do anything The well-respected medical publication The Lancet puts it this way: and to not let their HIV status define their future. And “U=U is a simple but hugely important campaign based on a solid foun- they’ve been doing very well. dation of scientific evidence. It has already been successful in influencing Full disclosure is crucial; we had a case where a young public opinion, causing more people with HIV (and their friends and man wasn’t aware that he was HIV positive. His parents families) to comprehend that they can live long, healthy lives, have chil- had told him the ARTs were for his asthma. After finding dren, and never have to worry about passing on their infection to out accidentally from a classmate who was also involved others.” in our program what the drugs were actually for, he be- came furious with his parents. His mother called our ho- Read more about the Prevention Access Campaign: tline and we worked to resolve the conflict. It wasn’t easy. www.preventionaccess.org At this conference they’ve gone over similar issues that will really help make a difference in my work. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity. N SPECIAL FEATURE | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 19

wellbeing will be through effective Africa and health: Leaders coordination of collective efforts. “It will not happen if all of us just do our own thing,” he said. “It will are accountable, says not happen if fragmentation and du- plication continue. But it can happen if we work together. It can happen if WHO Director-General the arrays of actors on the global health stage leverage their collective BY STEVE HUGHES strength.” Dr Tedros noted that there were WHO leader calls for political achievements to celebrate, but also commitment to improve health in Africa challenges in the area of universal health coverage*. “Many countries eviewing progress made by “It’s you as are taking bold steps towards uni- R African countries in tackling political versal health coverage,” he said, major public health issues – particu- naming South Africa, Madagascar PHOTO: WHO PHOTO: larly neglected tropical diseases leaders who and Rwanda as member states that (NTDs) and non-communicable dis- are account- have made tremendous progress. eases (NCDs) – and achieving univer- able for the Dr Tedros also warned delegates sal health coverage were among decisions you that if nothing is done about the agenda items in Dakar, Senegal, at shortage of health workers now, the the 68th session of the World Health make and the world will face a huge gap of 18 mil- Organization’s (WHO) Regional Com- results you lion of such by 2030, and six million mittee for Africa. The WHO also pre- achieve.” of these will be in Africa. N sented its ongoing and planned work * Universal health coverage is defined in the aforementioned areas, as well as ensuring that all people have access to required health services of sufficient as measures to ensure a more effec- quality to be effective, while also ensuring tive response to partner countries’ that the use of these services does not needs and how it will help increase Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expose the user to financial hardship. preparedness to cope with recurrent outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola. New WHO report finds big health gains ni Africa Speaking at the opening cere- mony of the event that brings to- A new report by the WHO, launched at the Regional Committee for Africa meeting, shows gether health ministers from the a high improvement in health in the region. However, this achievement can only be sustained 47 Member States in the WHO Afri- and expanded if countries significantly improve the way they deliver essential health services can Region, WHO Director-General to the people who need them most, it says. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus The State of Health in Africa report shows there has been a significant improvement in identified political commitment, health in Africa, with healthy life expectancy – time spent in full health – increasing from partnership and a transformed 50.9 years to 53.8 between 2012 and 2015. This is the most marked increase of any region WHO as key to improving the health in the world. and wellbeing of all people in the The top killers in Africa are still lower respiratory infections, HIV and diarrheal disease world, especially in Africa. and countries have focused on prevention and treatment with the result of a significant “It’s you as political leaders who decline in deaths attributable to these diseases. Overall, the report notes, there has been a are accountable for the decisions you 50 percent reduction in the burden of disease caused by what have been the top 10 killers make and the results you achieve,” since 2000 and death rates have dropped from 87.7 to 51.1 deaths per 100,000 persons he said. “WHO’s role is to give you between 2000 and 2015. the best support we can.” He remind- This trend is continuing, with emerging data on healthy life expectancy showing a con- ed delegates that to achieve the Sus- tinued improvement. However, the report shows that chronic diseases like heart disease tainable Development Goals (SDGs), and cancer are now claiming more lives. A person aged between 30 and 70 in the region there is a need for innovative, dy- now has a one-in-five chance of dying from a non-communicable disease. It also notes that namic and purposeful partnerships. countries are failing to provide essential services to two critical age groups – adolescents According to Dr Tedros, the achieve- and the elderly. ment of SDG 3 on good health and 20 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | SPECIAL FEATURE

Health security in Africa

elcoming delegates, WHO “Our which is one of the critical ways W Regional Director for Africa to progress towards UHC. The WHO Dr Matshidiso Moeti wrote: “Our continent African Region Secretariat is deter- PHOTO: WHO PHOTO: continent faces a number of public faces a mined to support its Member States health issues which challenge health number towards the attainment of UHC security in the region, including the of public given our mandate and comparative ongoing Ebola Virus Disease out- health advantage.” break in the Democratic Republic Drawing attention to the “rapid of Congo. We have been able to re- issues.” increase in non-communicable dis- spond to these challenges in a timely Dr Matshidiso Moeti eases in many African countries”, and robust manner because of the Dr Moeti called for urgent action. excellent collaboration of the Mem- “The good news is that the underly- ber States, our partners and ing causes of this problem such as donors.” tobacco use, physical inactivity, Dr Moeti emphasized that in poor diets and harmful use of alco- Africa, universal health coverage Dr Matshidiso Moeti hol are well known. I urge member (UHC) is an urgent requirement states to take deliberate and sus- to the attainment of good health “We applaud efforts by several Mem- tained actions to address these risk for all people as highlighted in ber States that have taken steps to factors.” N Sustainable Development Goal 3: improve public finance management

OFID and WHO

OFID’s Head of Grants and Technical Assistance On a related matter, and Dr Walid Mehalaine, who attended the Dakar while acknowledging bud- getary constraints, WHO event, explains the nature of OFID’s relationship called on national govern- with WHO and explains some of the meeting’s ments to fulfil their com- focus areas... mitments to allocate more domestic resources to the financing of the health sec- OFID’s relationship with the WHO began nearly four tor, in order to reduce de- OFID’s Dr Mehalaine decades ago when we extended a US$2 million grant in pendence on foreign aid. support of one of the earliest initiatives to contain river This is a welcome development that should contribute to blindness. Most recently, OFID signed a US$1 million grant increasing countries’ ownership and the sustainability of agreement with WHO to support the elimination of their investments in the health sector. neglected tropical diseases. To conclude, I found this event, which OFID attended This meeting is addressing some important Africa- for the first time, very useful in terms of not only keeping related issues such as tackling disease outbreaks (not limited abreast of the latest developments in the health sector on to Ebola, but also cholera and other communicable and the African continent, but also – and most importantly – in preventable diseases), strengthening national health systems hearing the voice of the main stakeholders: partner coun- and achieving universal health coverage. One key aspect we tries themselves. In this regard, the meeting demonstrated have focused on is regional and transboundary cooperation, that WHO is responsive to the needs of African countries and how partners and donors could make their assistance and encouraging them to take more responsibility in nation- to the continent more effective. al efforts toward tackling public health issues. SPECIAL FEATURE | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 21

Africa, energy and the view from space

By Sasaenia Paul Oluwabunmi MIET PMP, Operations Officer at OFID and Gabriel Hurtado González MEng CEng MIET, Energy Solutions Manager at Mitie

atellite images released by NASA Energy experts have opined that in order (the National Aeronautics and Space to achieve the targets of the United Nations Administration) show Africa, seen Sustainable Development Goal 7 on affordable from space at night, as almost com- and clean energy by 2030, sub-Saharan Africa Spletely unlit. The continent of more than one should have an annual electrification growth billion people appears as dark as Siberia, rate of between 8 and 9 percent. The current home to far fewer people. Africa’s 1.2 billion growth rate is somewhere between 3 and 5 people account for approximately 16 percent percent. As of 2017, more than 60 percent of of the world’s population, but the continent people in sub-Saharan Africa had no access generates only about 4 percent of global to electricity. electricity. Approximately 620 million of its While the afore-mentioned figures may

PHOTO: HARVEPINO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PHOTO: people live without access to electricity. sound gloomy, an analysis of Africa energy E 22 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | SPECIAL FEATURE

F trends shows that although Afri- Despite these improvements, ing urbanization and other factors, ca is not where it should be in terms Africa – and sub-Saharan Africa in by 2040 sub-Saharan Africa is pro- of access, it’s definitely in a better particular – has a highly underde- The next jected to be ranked fourth globally in place than it was. veloped energy sector compared few years terms of energy demand per capita Three decades ago, based on with other continents. This is wor- (out-ranked only by the US, China and Consumption/capita, data sources from the World rying on economic grounds (as well will be the European Union – see Figure 2). kilowatt-hours Bank, Sustainable Energy for All as on other socio-economic indica- crucial for Where will this energy come from? 3,962 13,395 (SEforALL), the International Energy tor bases). McKinsey and Company’s Africa’s United States Agency (IEA) and the Energy Sector analysis of the growth potential A ray of hope energy China 3,557 2,944 Management Assistance Program of the sub-Saharan Africa region The next few years will be crucial sector. (ESMAP), the percentage of sub- shows that countries with electrifi- for Africa’s energy sector. Accord- European Union 3,035 6,264 Saharan Africa’s population with cation rates of less than 80 percent ing to African Energy Live Data, Sub-Saharan access to electricity was just 23.4 of the population consistently the installed energy capacity on the 1,570 989 Africa 2040 percent, compared with about 42.8 suffer from reduced GDP per capita. entire African continent is predicted percent today. This is a remarkable Figure 1 shows the relationship to increase by about 50 percent over Japan 996 8,394 improvement, especially given between electricity consumption the next five years and this trend that the annual population growth and GDP – lower access / consump- is expected to continue. Most of this Latin America 841 1,961 rate for sub-Saharan Africa was tion points to lower GDP per capita. expansion is expected to come from India 760 626 approximately 2.7 percent over the More concerning still is that due liquid fuel fired projects and gas analysis period. to huge population growth, increas- power stations. Canada 522 15,137

Brazil 426 2,381 Sub-Saharan Figure 1 Africa 423 514

Relationship between electricity consumption and GDP,* 2011

GDP, current $ /capita Other countries Sub-Saharan Africa countries

100,000 Spain France Australia Germany Greece Japan Italy United States Romania Poland 10,000 Israel Libya Belarus South Africa Angola Nigeria Azerbaijan Tunisia Cameroon Turkmenistan 1,000 China Haiti Tanzania Niger Cambodia Tajikistan Mozambique Nepal Afghanistan Bangladesh Burundi Ethiopia 100 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000 Electricity consumption, * BASE 10 LOGARITHMIC SCALE. kilowa- tt hours/capita SOURCE: IHS ECONOMICS; INTERNATIONAL ENERGY STATISTICS, US ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, 2013, EIA.GOV GRAPH INITIALLY SOURCED FROM MCKINSEY & COMPANY: BRIGHTER AFRICA – THE GROWTH POTENTIAL OF THE SUB-SAHARAN ELECTRICITY SECTOR SPECIAL FEATURE | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 23

Figure 2

Electricity consumption, terawatt-hours p.a., 2010 Consumption/capita, kilowatt-hours

United States 3,962 13,395

China 3,557 2,944

European Union 3,035 6,264 Sub-Saharan 1,570 989 Africa 2040

Japan 996 8,394

Latin America 841 1,961

India 760 626

Canada 522 15,137

Brazil 426 2,381 Sub-Saharan Africa 423 514

SOURCE: KEY WORLD ENERGY STATISTICS, ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT AND THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY, 2013, IEA.ORG; WORLD DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS, WORLD BANK GROUP, WORLDBANK.ORG GRAPH INITIALLY SOURCED FROM MCKINSEY & COMPANY: BRIGHTER AFRICA – THE GROWTH POTENTIAL OF THE SUB-SAHARAN ELECTRICITY SECTOR

GDP, current $ /capita Other countries Sub-Saharan Africa countries

100,000 Spain France Australia But renewables are expected significantly, because both tech- expected installed capacity of about Despite Germany to play an integral part in Africa’s nologies can be deployed easily as 30 GW. And several countries in the current energy space in the longer term, off-grid and mini-grid solutions, Central Africa have plans to con- Greece Japan situation, the Italy United States with their share in the energy mix removing the bottlenecks associated struct small and medium-scale Romania Poland projected to reach more than 20 with connecting to national infra- power projects with a total com- energy land- 10,000 Israel Libya percent over the next five years. structure. bined capacity of about 900 MW. scape in Belarus South Africa Solar photovoltaic (PV) and micro- Despite the current situation, Africa is Angola hydro are currently the most pop- Out of the dark the energy landscape in Africa is Nigeria Azerbaijan promising. Tunisia ular renewable technologies in African Energy Live Data shows promising. Liquid fuel fired projects Cameroon Turkmenistan Africa, with each accounting for that East Africa has outlined an and gas powered stations are ex- 1,000 China approximately one percent of the ambitious plan to increase its poten- pected to shape the future of Afri- Haiti Tanzania overall energy mix. These technolo- tial for energy trading and foster ca’s energy baseload, while renew- Niger Cambodia Tajikistan gies are expected to lead the African growth in off-grid electricity. West ables will play a strategic part, espe- Mozambique Nepal renewable market over the next few and South Africa currently have cially in remote and rural areas. Afghanistan Bangladesh decades. several power stations (with a com- If current energy projects Burundi Ethiopia The predicted prominence of bined capacity of about 14 GW) continue as planned – with private 100 solar PV and micro-hydro is in part under construction. North Africa sector participation mixed with 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000 down to their abundance1, but more (especially Egypt and Algeria) is good public sector policies – Africa’s currently developing the continent’s future could be bright; even when Electricity consumption, 1 Compared to other continents, Africa has kilowa- tt hours/capita the highest hours of sunlight per year. largest power stations, with a total viewed from space. N

OFID in the field

PHOTO: MAGNIFIER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM OFID IN THE FIELD | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 25

Moving millions of metric tons

International trade is widely acknowledged to expand overall material wellbeing. So Africa is working hard to improve its record.

BY STEVE HUGHES

hile Africa is home chandising. The company prides to six out of the 10 itself on connecting smallholder fastest growing econ- farmers to the global economy and omies in the world, the global economy back to small- itW accounts for only around three holder farmers through a value percent of global trade1. Big gaps chain that operates between the in infrastructure and access to farm gates of emerging markets and finance still pose major hurdles. supermarket shelves around the Intra-trade among African countries world. The OFID co-funded lending also remains disappointing, with facility – led by Standard Chartered high tariffs representing continual Bank – will help the various sub- deterrents (see page 12 for news Sahara African subsidiaries of the on Africa’s Continental Free Trade group import and export agricul- Area). tural commodities. OFID has long supported trade ETG Chief Treasury Officer in Africa. In 2017 alone, OFID ap- Anish Jain confirms that the main proved US$425 million to support challenge to agricultural trade in international trade on the continent. Africa – like trade more generally Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, – is poor infrastructure. But a Gambia, Senegal and Tunisia were lack of ‘know-how’ can slow things among the beneficiary countries. down, too. “We’re often talking Two recent commitments that about moving millions of metric highlight OFID’s focus in Africa are tons of soft commodities from land- the US$40 million the organization locked countries to on-shore coun- contributed to a revolving trade tries where they can be exported financing facility for Export Trad- to international markets,” he says. ing Group (ETG) – one of Africa’s “Since the farmers lack logistics, a largest agricultural conglomerates – lot of the time their produce is limit- and a US$60 million loan agreement ed to being sold in their own coun- with the Eastern and Southern try, or even in the village or street African Trade and Development where they are farming.” Bank (TDB) specifically in support Jain says it’s the role of commod- of international trade (see page 45 ity players such as ETG (backed by for more on the TDB loan). the likes of OFID) to help mobilize ETG’s operations span procure- commodities and provide the means ment, processing, warehousing, of getting them to market where E transport, distribution and mer- 1 According to the ITFC

PHOTO: MAGNIFIER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM 26 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | OFID IN THE FIELD

F farmers can receive the best pric- wellbeing expands. But just because es for their crop. “We can help in the size of the pie expands, it doesn’t other ways too,” adds Jain. “We advise mean that everyone is better off.” In on what type of fertilizer to use, how the longer term, Van Reenen argues, harvesting can be improved, how education systems and social sys- to store crops most efficiently and tems should guard against the nega- how to improve yields.” tive consequences of trade by mak- ETG runs what it calls a Farmers ing people more resilient to shocks, Foundation – a non-profit organiza- so that if they are “hit by tough tion established in 2013 that seeks to times, they can reskill and move establish meaningful partnerships around more easily to cope”. with the public and private sectors OFID is optimistic about the to support smallholder farmers in power of trade to boost economic the ways mentioned above. “We now and social development in Africa. engage with more than 40,000 farm- But the organization is cognizant ers in different districts,” Jain says. of other priorities and supporting “Research shows that the arable factors, too. This is why it continues land available for cultivation and Anish Jain, ETG Treasury Officer to provide support to build essential the number of individual farmers infrastructure and strengthen who can work that land make Africa Through collaboration between social services. OFID’s work is people- an ideal region for global food OFID and ITFC, these challenges centered, focusing on projects that production.” can easily be turned into opportuni- meet basic needs – such as food, “But we need to help address ties. Already, the Arab Africa Trade energy, clean water and sanitation, the challenges,” he continues. “Mar- Bridges (AATB – see next page) healthcare and education – with the ket buyers, government agencies, presents an example of collabora- aim of encouraging self-reliance and research and development institu- tion to unlock trade potentials and inspiring hope for the future. tions, donor organizations, trans- opportunities. portation companies, farming tech- “One of the main requirements nology companies and investors in Africa is the enhancement of all need to play a part in making it knowledge and skills,” Al-Thekair happen.” continues. “For this reason, the

Much of OFID’s work in Africa AATB includes capacity building 35STUDIO_COM PHOTO: is undertaken in partnership with on trade matters as one of the main the International Islamic Trade objectives and the action plan in- Finance Corporation (ITFC), which cludes several capacity development aims to ‘catalyze’ trade across Afri- interventions.” ca, and particularly in sub-Saharan The benefits of trade are well Africa. “Through the strategic part- documented: it allows countries to nership with OFID and other key specialize in producing what they financiers, ITFC targets to achieve do best; it makes markets bigger – an annual financing of US$1 billion enabling research and development in sub-Saharan Africa by 2019,” says spending, for example; it leads to ITFC’s Nasser Al-Thekair, GM Trade the ‘survival of the fittest’ as less and Business Development. “In addi- efficient producers either exit the tion, going forward, ITFC plans to market or improve; and it encourag- scale up its interventions across the es contact with foreign companies entire African continent to exceed and governments, often leading to the US$11 billion already achieved cooperation and new ideas. from 2008 to 2017. This is expected As John Van Reenen, an econo- to support ITFC’s pursuit to be the mist at Massachusetts Institute of financier of choice in the region.” Technology (MIT), said in a recent Africa holds substantial growth interview with The Economist: “… potential in trade, Al-Thekair ex- free trade increases the size of the plains. “There are several challenges. pie. The overall amount of material Nasser Al Thekair, ITFC OFID IN THE FIELD | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 27

OFID’s relationship with ITFC finance transactions in 23 partner OFID and ing capital needs. OFID is also a In terms of trade development, countries, with a strong focus on ITFC have contributor to, and a founding mem- OFID and ITFC enjoy a strategic Africa, providing these countries ber of, the Governing Board of the partnership and collaboration with innovative trade finance solu- supported Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) mechanism through several plat- tions to support their economic de- over 70 trade Program, which was designed and forms. The two organizations are velopment. OFID and ITFC continue finance launched by the ITFC in collabora- collaborating directly under the to support partner countries by fa- transactions tion with other institutions. AATB Arab Coordination Group for En- cilitating the import and export re- aims to enhance trade relations hancing Cooperation on Trade Fi- quirements of a range of products, in 23 partner between the two regions through nance and Export Credit Insurance. including petroleum and agricultur- countries. trade-related technical assistance Over the last 10 years, OFID and al products, and helping partner interventions, as well as trade devel- ITFC have supported over 70 trade countries with inventory and work- opment projects. N Good health is thirsty work

Kiosks to provide affordable drinking water – and jobs – PHOTO: SWISS FRESH WATER to vulnerable populations in Mali, Mauritania and Senegal

BY STEVE HUGHES

round 12 million people have contributed to the pollution “Safe water Badara Diom, Djirnda Mayor live in the Senegal River and contamination of existing water and President of A2W Senegal, says: basin – an area that cov- sources, negatively impacting peo- access is “As in many countries of the world, ers around 337,000 km2. ple’s health. restricted safe water access is restricted in ADuring the seven months of the Working with Swiss Fresh Wa- Senegal. In the Senegal River region in Senegal” dry season, rainfall averages ter, the Access to Water Foundation more precisely, the main issues only 2.5 mm per month, and daily (A2W) and local partners, OFID has are that the water coming from dif- temperatures can reach over provided a grant of US$800,000 ferent sources such as boreholes, 38 degrees Celsius*. Many poor (toward the total project cost of rivers, public networks and wells rural communities living in Mali, US$1,690,000) to improve access to is most of the time contaminated Mauritania and Senegal – part of safe drinking water in the region. which means the population suffers the basin – still lack access to safe The proposed project is a scale-up from illnesses such as diarrhea, drinking water. Population growth of an initiative successfully imple- hypertension, kidney diseases and and human activity – including mented in four regions of Senegal so on. In addition to the negative E farming, industry and mining – from 2011 to 2016. * Figures according to the World Bank. 28 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | OFID IN THE FIELD

Phili, a female kiosk manager, Senegal

F health effects, this has a strong private vendors. Around 100 water lation can generate around three di- impact on absenteeism at school and treatment machines are planned: 25 rect jobs, to manage, administer, work, and on life quality, and can machines in both Mali and Maurita- market, deliver and clean the facility. push people from remote areas to nia, and 50 machines in Senegal. The Some indirect jobs can also be creat- migrate to cities.” project will also train local techni- ed around the kiosk due to its daily OFID’s Head of Grants and Tech- cians and water kiosk managers. activity: water can be used for fish nical Assistance Dr Walid Mehalaine A2W Project Manager Clémence cleaning, fruit juice production, etc. says: “The two-year project is ex- Langone explains: “Each kiosk instal- We are now setting up training ses- pected to benefit approximately sions particularly dedicated to wom- 250,000 people directly and create en and youth to teach them all these 300 local job opportunities. We’re About the project partners jobs.” aiming to reduce the incidence of Renaud de Watteville, A2W waterborne diseases and improve The project will be implemented by Access Founder, says: “The first phase of living conditions significantly.” to Water Foundation – a Swiss-based organiza- the program in Senegal generated a Dr Mehalaine says that water tion established by Swiss Fresh Water (SFW) in lot of satisfaction and made a real treatment machines installed in 2012. SFW was established in 2008 and is based and measurable impact thanks to ‘kiosks’ will produce drinking water in Switzerland. It has designed and developed the monitoring of each machine via from brackish, polluted or salty decentralized desalination water treatment the internet. Because of this, there is water, and these kiosks will sell the machines successfully tested in Senegal. Local much demand for better access to safe water at an affordable price partners will be engaged to encourage owner- clean water in Senegal. Every week, – 1.5 US cents – per liter. This is much ship and sustainability. A2W receives new requests for help cheaper than bottled water or water from developing countries in Africa sold in plastic bags by local shops or and other parts of the world.” N OFID IN THE FIELD | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 29

and construction, through catering and computer applications, to Sparking educational fashion design and hairdressing. Enrolment across all courses is gen- der neutral – 50 percent of students reform in Uganda are women and 50 percent men. Solomon Amieyeofori, now re- tired but formerly OFID’s country Vocational education project supports growing officer for Uganda, led OFID’s coop- eration with the Ugandan govern- industrial, agricultural and commercial sectors. ment on this project and praises the commitment to education reform BY JUSTINE WÜRTZ and the successful completion of Phase 1. Sasaenia Paul Oluwabunmi ome 10 years ago, the Ugan- has taken on the OFID mantle from dan government initiated a Amieyeofori: “As an African, I un- program of education re- derstand the challenge of youth un- form to promote profession- employment across the continent,” Sal training for young people. Known he says. as the Vocational Education Pro- “It’s satisfying to see the objec- gram and driven by a growing de- tives of this project already being mand for skilled workers, it has so achieved,” Oluwabunmi continues, far produced nine higher-learning looking at a photograph of recent colleges, each in a different region graduates from the Nawanyago of the country. Technical Institute. In August, OFID has supported this pro- 228 students graduated from this gram with two public sector loans: institute – one of the nine new the first loan of US$22.9 million facilities – in the Kamuli District in 2009 helped finance the initial Uganda’s growing industrial, agri- A student of Uganda. These young graduates stages of construction; and a fur- cultural and commercial sectors. graduation will be among the first wave of ceremony. ther loan of US$14.3 million in 2015 By facilitating access to specialized professionals to benefit from the is helping to expand capacity and training, the government is also country-wide program and have drive quality teaching. addressing high unemployment much better prospects than before. The technical and vocational rates and low income levels. “I hope this program becomes a education provided by these schools The nine colleges offer a spectrum model for other African countries,” is essential to equip workers for of courses ranging from building says Oluwabunmi. N

Uganda at a glance In the latter half of 2017, Uganda’s economy grew, driven largely by growth in information and com- munications technology services and favorable weather conditions for the agricultural sector. Real GDP growth is expected to be above 5 percent in 2018, and could rise further to 6 percent in 2019. This outlook assumes continued favorable weather conditions, robust external demand, an increase in foreign direct investment inflows and capital spend- ing executed as planned. SOURCE: WORLDBANK.ORG PHOTOS: UGANDA VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT MANAGEMENT PROJECT EDUCATION VOCATIONAL UGANDA PHOTOS: Students in one of the new workshops. NEWSROUND

A time to say goodbye After 15 years, Suleiman J Al-Herbish hands over the OFID reins

here is much that outgoing OFID Director- General Suleiman J Al-Herbish has achieved during his 15 years leading OFID. He has modernized the organization beyond recog- Tnition; he has made it a better and more progressive place for staff to work; and he’s readied OFID for the future – both structurally and financially. All this has involved an enormous amount of team- work, of course, and Al-Herbish has surrounded himself with a modern, forward-looking team. It has also required a strong and visionary leader. From modest but relatively comfort- able beginnings, Al-Herbish grew up in the city of Ar Rass in Saudi Arabia. As a child, he tells, he hadn’t heard of electricity, never mind experienced it. The young Al-Herbish would study by the light of a kerosene lantern each

Al-Herbish has spent the last 15 years fighting for the world’s most vulnerable people. PHOTOS: OFID, UNLESS OTHERWISE CREDITED NEWSROUND | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 31

2004 Former Austrian President, the late Dr Thomas Klestil, welcomes Al-Herbish.

2004 Al-Herbish said his meeting with late Cuban President Fidel Castro was a “milestone” in OFID’s relations with Cuba. PHOTO: OPEC

night. Later in life, on moving to Goal 7 (SDG 7); a stand-alone goal in Riyadh, he was still without elec- the United Nations Agenda 2030 for tricity at home, but would visit the Sustainable Development.” local mosques in the evenings – “We have advocated tirelessly which did have electricity – to study. for energy poverty to be given the These formative years shaped priority it deserves in the post-2015 Al-Herbish, and if you ask the man Development Agenda after it was himself about his greatest achieve- ignored in the Millennium Develop- ment in his long career, he doesn’t ment Goals,” he added. “It was such hesitate. As he told OFID’s Ministe- an omission; we called it the ‘miss- rial Council in his farewell speech ing ninth MDG’.” last June: “Our efforts – along with Al-Herbish, who before dedicat- our friends in the international are- ing his life to fighting for the world’s na – have culminated in something most vulnerable people served for remarkable; something that will un- 14 years as the Governor of Saudi derpin the entire sustainable devel- Arabia at OPEC, will be remem- opment agenda to 2030 and beyond: bered by those who worked with 2005 Blaise Compaoré, former President of Burkina Faso, described OFID as a “valuable partner.” Access to energy for all is recog- him closely for being a demanding nized as Sustainable Development boss – wanting tasks completed E

2006 Meeting with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF MINISTRY OF FINANCE, NIGERIA 2008 With then Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov. 32 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | NEWSROUND

F to perfection. His sense of humor relating to energy access, sustain- will remain front of mind, too – he ability and efficiency…Our alliance would often relieve the tension in a was forged in our common desire to room or situation via a friendly quip. end poverty and it has been strength- More memorable still will be his ened by the common conviction that compassion. Al-Herbish is quick to access to modern energy services is recognize and reward good work; a vital precondition to achieving ready to listen and adapt; and above sustainable development…” all, seems to be driven by some in- Toward retirement from OFID, ternal force to work relentlessly to where many may have slowed down make the world a better place. in preparedness for a different pace He will also be remembered by of life, Al-Herbish has done the op- many staff for his extraordinary posite. This year alone: he has led a memory. Al-Herbish has not once delegation to Bangladesh where he misremembered a date, no matter met with the country’s Prime Minis- 2009 During his Armenian mission, Al-Herbish was presented with the Anania Shirakatsi medal by President Serzh Sargsyan. how far back, and beguiles with ter and signed two loan agreements humorous stories of long-past mis- to help bolster the transportation sions – like flying all the way to sector; in Bolivia, Al-Herbish met New York as a young man only to with President Evo Morales who discover the conference he was due expressed his gratitude for OFID’s to attend had been cancelled. support; on the same mission, In and out of the organization, Al-Herbish received an honorary Al-Herbish built strong relation- doctorate from a Bolivian university ships. Friendships based on mutual in recognition of development interest and respect blossomed with financing supplied by OFID, and the leaders of other international he signed loan agreements with organizations. Kandeh K Yumkella, Bolivia and Argentina to boost for example, then Special Represen- socioeconomic development in tative of the UN Secretary-General the water and sanitation, and trans- and CEO of the Sustainable Energy portation sectors. for All (SEforALL) Initiative, wrote: And there’s more. Still during “Addressing audiences in Africa, 2018: visiting Rwanda, Al-Herbish Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin signed a US$20 million loan agree- 2011 Meeting with former Prime Minister of Vietnam America, the Caribbean and the ment for a water and sanitation pro- Nguyen Tan Dung. During the mission, Al-Herbish signed USA, Al-Herbish has pursued the en- gram that will improve living stan- three major agreements to intensify collaborations ergy issue among students, political dards for nearly 1.6 million people; in the Asia region. and business leaders, intellectuals in Jordan, he signed agreements 2012 Discussions with former Sri Lankan President and development workers alike…I worth US$1.16 million to implement Mahinda Raja Paksa focused on the long-standing cooperation would like to take this opportunity projects in support of the resilience between OFID and Sri Lanka. to thank Al-Herbish personally for of Palestinians residing in East Jeru- his foresight, commitment and salem, Hebron and Gaza Strip; and partnership.” in Belize, he signed a US$40 million Similarly, LI Yong, Director- loan agreement in support of an im- General of the United Nations Indus- portant road rehabilitation project trial Development Organization with the Belizean Prime Minister (UNIDO) called Al-Herbish one of Dean O Barrow. Couple this to meet- the world’s leading advocates of en- ings in India, Spain, Portugal, the ergy poverty alleviation. “With UK and the US – in addition to a Al-Herbish at the helm,” he wrote in recent high-level mission to Bosnia the Foreword of Uniting against pov- and Herzegovina – and you get the erty: OFID’s Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish picture. Al-Herbish is not one for and the fight for sustainable develop- taking his foot off the gas. ment, “OFID has helped its develop- As this magazine was going ment partners deliver on issues to print, Al-Herbish had recently NEWSROUND | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 33

2013 At the launch of OFID’s children’s book One Planet Earth One People, Al-Herbish explained to young participants how important it was for them to learn to act as responsible global citizens.

returned from Cairo, where he Cancer Foundation and Center signed grants in support of the Re- (KHCF), which focuses on support- gional Centre for Renewable Energy ing underprivileged and vulnerable and Energy Efficiency and Biblioth- patients, including the large refugee eca Alexandrina, supporting three community in Jordan, as well as pa- causes he holds extremely dear: tients from neighboring countries. access to energy, education and the The agreement is to be signed with preservation of culture; the latter Princess Ghida Talal, Chairperson of which he has more than once of the KHCF. referred to as “the fourth pillar of Al-Herbish will also sign an development, in addition to the agreement for a grant amounting to three widely recognized economic, US$150,000, in support of a project to social and environmental pillars.” be implemented by the Saudi Not long back from Cairo, Center for Blind Girls from Bahrain, Al-Herbish was preparing for a mis- Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Pales- Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said OFID sion to Amman, Jordan. There, he tine, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, 2014 was a strong partner in the fight against energy poverty. plans to sign an agreement for a UAE and Yemen. Based in Amman, grant under OFID’s Special Health the Saudi Center is a charitable insti- Program amounting to US$400,000 tution established with the aim of in support of the King Hussein enhancing blind women’s literacy E

2015 An audience with Queen of Jordan Ranya Al Abdullah. PHOTO: HASHEMITE ROYAL COURT

2016 Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen thanks Al-Herbish for OFID’s long- standing support. 34 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | NEWSROUND

2017 Al-Herbish with his ‘OFID family’ in front of the OFID monument that was presented to the City of Vienna as a lasting ‘thank you’ for playing host to OFID.

F and promoting their socio-economic 46 percent of the organization’s “I hope part of the OFID family,” he contin- empowerment through training and commitments for the year. A total of ued. “I believe what we have education. It will be gratifying to 32 African countries shared this I will always achieved together – for OFID and Al-Herbish that he is concluding his amount. remain a part for people across the globe – will career by signing such important It’s doubtful that Al-Herbish will of the OFID last far longer than any of us and agreements. put his feet up even in retirement. family.” will help many generations to come. Similarly, that this very ‘fare- In OFID’s internal magazine – in I believe teamwork has been central well’ article to Al-Herbish is printed which Al-Herbish has written a reg- to our success and I implore you to within a special edition of the OFID ular column for the past decade – continue to work together.” Quarterly honed in on development he signed off to staff in typical style: There will be many people who in Africa will be particularly pleas- “I hope and believe this new chapter will genuinely miss Al-Herbish’s ing to Al-Herbish, since the conti- in my life – and yours – will be company; his drive and enthusiasm. nent is close to his heart. He is alert filled with much more love, laugh- But there is no need for immediate to Africa’s development needs, and ter, exciting challenges and concern; all indicators point to him has helped maintain OFID’s focus successes.” being a part of the international on this front. In 2017 alone, OFID “I will reflect on the journeys development community for some approved US$695.6 million for de- we’ve shared for as long as I live, time to come. N velopment operations in Africa – and I hope I will always remain a

2018 Meeting with Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, during OFID’s first high-level mission to the country.

2018 Bolivian President Evo Morales was present at the loan signing for an OFID co-financed road project. NEWSROUND | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 35

From left: Nigerian Minister of State for Environment Ibrahim Jibril; Nigerian Ambassador Vivian Okeke; OFID General Counsel Violet Onyemenam; and OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish. Art and the importance of peace and stability

“Nigeria is and will always FID never misses an the artists presented their hopes opportunity to cele- for peace and harmony. be a country of peace,” brate the culture and In his welcoming remarks, art of a member coun- Al-Herbish highlighted the impor- says Ambassador Okeke Otry and recently hosted Nigeria: tance of peace and stability. “The Scenes of Peace – an exhibition fea- artworks featured here depict turing the works of four talented scenes of freedom, of culture and BY SILVIA MATEYKA Nigerian artists: Kaltume Gana, Ben of family life and they serve as a Ibebe, Amedu Iklaga and nine-year- reminder for us to stop and reflect old Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke. on the importance of peace and sta- Jointly opened by OFID Director- bility in a world filled with turmoil,” General Suleiman J Al-Herbish and he said. “The very essence of peace the Ambassador of the Federal Re- allows us to move forward with public of Nigeria Vivian N R Okeke, our development and helps us leave the exhibition marked International behind a sustainable world for our World Peace Day on September 21. children.” E With more than 50 works on display, 36 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | NEWSROUND

Buni Yadi, acrylic on canvas.

Kaltume Bulama Gana “My works are a cry for peace and stem from depressing events that emanated from the humanitarian crisis in north-eastern Nigeria. I work mostly with acrylics in shades of yellow ocher, maroon and umber to depict the terrain and portray anguish. Hope and gradual return to normalcy is portrayed by shades of blue and bright yellows; evidence of a new dawn.” NEWSROUND | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 37

F Ambassador Okeke said: “Peace, Particularly noteworthy is the Nine-year-old Nigeria hosted by OFID. Previously, a prime desire of mankind is con- work of Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo- artist Kanye Rhythm of Hope showcased painting, stantly threatened in our world Okeke. The nine-year-old artist has sculpture and mixed media from three today, owing to varied manifesta- experienced the life changing prop- has experi- prominent Nigerian artists in 2013. tions of intolerance. In this context, erties of art; his parents believe that enced the life The Susanne Wenger Exhibition pro- the exhibition highlights in a most art represents a shining light in the changing vided another opportunity to experi- unique way the underlying culture sometimes dark world of autism in properties ence Nigerian art and culture in 2017. of peace in Nigeria, through an which he lives. “Kanye represents Other exhibitions hosted by emphasis on the everyday life and our future, and I am glad to see that of art. OFID have highlighted the art and engagements of the average Nigerian. he has drawn such a bright one,” culture of member countries Algeria, Our message is that Nigeria is said Al-Herbish. Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and will always be a country of Nigeria: Scenes of Peace is the third and Venezuela, as well as partner peace.” exhibition to highlight the art of countries Kenya and Sudan. N

Islamiya bound, oil on canvas.

Ben Ibebe

“The inspiration for my art comes from people: how they respond to social, economic, and political forces in their daily living. The issues, ideas and events arising from man’s quest to contain and contend with these forces form the subject of my paintings. Given this background, my paintings are highly figurative with women accorded prominent attention in my composition.” 38 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | NEWSROUND

Twist of melancholy, acrylic on canvas.

Amedu Iklaga “I am a great believer in my African heritage and hope to use my work to promote peace in my country and Africa as a whole. I love my country deeply and am a promoter of the Idoma – an ethnic group in Benue State, Nigeria”. NEWSROUND | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 39

“We began to understand that Kanye was comfortable in this environment and gradually we understood what he could be thinking and what certain pictures represented to him. We realized that Kanye is truly an exceptionally talented little boy who through art, expresses himself in a totally different way. Art has helped Kanye to connect with us, and with the society he lives in.” Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke Chukwuemeka Tagbo Okeke, Kanye’s father.

My family, acrylic on canvas. 40 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | NEWSROUND

Al-Herbish signed another grant agreement in Alexandria with OFID in Egypt the Director of Egypt’s Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Dr Mostafa el Feki. OFID’s US$200,000 funding will Grant agreements signed in Cairo support energy- support a project titled ‘The Arabs’ related education and cultural preservation Memory’, which documents, pre- serves and digitizes Arab heritage. BY ANNA ILARIA-MAYRHOFER Inaugurated in 2002, Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a major library support to the center – and also to complex and cultural center hous- attend a graduation ceremony at ing books in Arabic, English and RCREEE’s headquarters in Cairo. French. PHOTO: RCREEE PHOTO: This year, Al-Herbish was guest At the signing ceremony, el Feki of honor at the graduation ceremony expressed his gratitude for OFID’s of the 10th APSEY program and continued support and explained signed a US$180,000 grant agreement that the latest project would “help with RCREEE Executive Director to record and preserve the past, Dr Ahmed Badr in support of the making it available to all people, upcoming 11th round of students. as a timeless gift to the world.” At the signing ceremony, Al-Herbish reiterated OFID’s Al-Herbish said: “The eradication focus on culture as “the fourth pillar of energy poverty requires effective of development, in addition to the synergies and partnerships, while three widely recognized economic, capacity building is key to achieving social and environmental pillars.” OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish with development in any sector. This grant He commended Bibliotheca Alexan- RCREEE Executive Director Dr Ahmed Badr. is an important milestone as it sup- drina as “a place of dialogue, learn- ports a much needed intervention ing and understanding between eptember was a busy month in the Arab Region.” cultures and peoples.” for OFID Director-General Thanking Al-Herbish, Dr Badr OFID’s first grant to Bibliotheca Suleiman J Al-Herbish with said RCREEE was “honored and Alexandrina supported a scientific a tightly-packed schedule excited” to continue its partnership conference, while the second co- Sof meetings and missions. One such with OFID: “We are privileged to funded production of an Arabic- mission was to Egypt to sign two have the opportunity to support the language TV program series cover- grant agreements: one that supports region’s future leaders in a sustain- ing a variety of scientific topics for the renewable energy youth pro- able field,” said Dr Badr. broadcast to the general public. N gram of the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy “Bibliotheca Efficiency (RCREEE) and another Alexandrina to fund a cultural initiative of the is a place Bibliotheca Alexandrina. of dialogue, RCREEE’s Arab Program for Sustainable Energy Youth – APSEY – learning and is a regional sustainable energy understand- internship program targeting young ing.” professionals and post graduate Al-Herbish engineering, economy and law stu- PHOTO: COURTESY OF BIBLIOTHECA ALEXANDRINA BIBLIOTHECA OF COURTESY PHOTO: dents from the Arab region. OFID supported the 9th and 10th rounds of the APSEY program with two grants totaling US$250,000. In 2015, Al-Herbish was invited to inaugu- rate the ‘OFID Meeting Room’ – in recognition of the institution’s Al-Herbish and Dr Mostafa el Feki, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina. NEWSROUND | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 41 PHOTO: MIDHAT KAPO MIDHAT PHOTO:

OFID Director-General Al-Herbish (left) at a press conference alongside Denis Zvizdic,´ BiH Chairman of the Council of Ministers. Boost for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s major motorway project BY STEVE HUGHES

FID has signed agree- Treasury Vjekoslav Bevanda and Complex approved US$195 million in devel- ments to support a the President of the Federation of physical and opment finance through its public major transport infra- BiH, Marinko Čavara. OFID’s dele- sector window. Under OFID’s structure project in gation also attended a high-level geographical private sector operations, three OBosnia and Herzegovina (BiH): two meeting hosted by BiH Chairman characteris- loans have been committed to BiH loans totaling US$55.5 million will of the Council of Ministers Denis tics of the banks for on-lending activities. support the southeastern European Zvizdić, alongside BiH Prime Minis- route present In addition, seven national grants country’s ‘Corridor Vc Motorway ter of the Federation Fadil Novalić have been extended to support Project, Section Nemila Donja and other ministers and senior gov- significant operations including assisting Gracanica’ (Zenica North). ernment figures. engineering refugees and providing humani- The project is part of the Trans- OFID’s Al-Herbish addressed a challenges. tarian aid. N European road corridors network press conference alongside Zvizdić that connects Budapest, Hungary, and Ismir Jusko, BiH Minister of in the north, with the Adriatic port Communications and Transport. At OFID’s 164th Session of the Governing Board of Ploče, Croatia, in the south. Com- Al-Herbish praised the excellent two further transportation sector loans of plex physical and geographical cooperation between OFID and BiH US$30m and €35m were approved for the con- characteristics of the route present and underlined OFID’s support of struction of the Hrenovica-Gorazde Expressway significant engineering challenges the government’s development strat- and Hranjen Tunnel in Bosnia and Herzegovina. and require the construction of egy, which prioritizes transporta- The project aims to provide a more efficient and 180 bridges and 80 tunnels, and an tion. Al-Herbish noted that these less expensive means of transport in a region investment worth US$5 billion. new agreements represent OFID’s where agriculture is a key sector. An estimated OFID Director-General Suleiman third investment in the project. 900,000 people will benefit. J Al-Herbish signed the agreements OFID has a long-standing rela- with BiH Minister of Finance and tionship with BiH, having now 42 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | NEWSROUND

Annual Scholarship Award 2018 OFID sponsors 10 remarkable young students of development

BY FATMA ELZAHRA ELSHHATI

As part of the organization’s vision to support sustainable development centered on human capacity-building, OFID’s Annual Scholarship Award helps young people from its partner countries achieve their full potential. Close to 10,000 young people applied this year for the opportunity to pursue their graduate studies, sponsored by OFID. The following “I will be ten remarkable young students were successful… able to set health promotion policies...” Israa Mohammed from Sudan Alazar Lemedo from Ethiopia will will pursue a degree in Public be studying for a degree in Structural Health for Development at the Engineering at the University of London School of Hygiene and Manchester. During his studies, Alazar Tropical Medicine. Israa hopes to wishes to explore sustainable and effect policy change back in her resilient structures to engage in home country: “I will be able to building a green and cost-effective set health promotion policies and housing sector in his home country. evidence-based strategies to con- “For a country like Ethiopia, where trol health problems in Sudan,” construction consumes 60 percent of the national she says. budget, implementing cost efficient infrastructure is indispensable,” Alazar says. “I am passionate Sri Lankan Amayaa Wijesinghe about my Maria Ines Cubides will attend Oxford University Kovacsics from Colombia to pursue a Master’s in Biodiversity, country...” will study at the International Conservation and Management. Institute of Social Studies, “I am passionate about my country, Netherlands, for a Master’s its people and its natural beauty in Development Studies. She has been and resources,” says Amayaa, fighting for the rights of excluded and who aims to help build the marginalized people in Colombia. resilience of rural communities. “I want to learn more about strategies for achieving justice from a developmental angle,” Maria says. Upon her return home, she hopes to help increase commu- nity involvement in development projects.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF OFID 2018 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS NEWSROUND | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 43

“I have a strong drive to do more in society.”

Originally from Somalia, From Malawi, Thokozani Chapomba Hayatullah Bayan from Afghanistan Abdishakur Ahmed will study for a will study at the University of Leeds, will attend the University of Sussex, UK, degree in Sustainable International Devel- UK, for an MA in Health Management, to pursue a degree in Governance, Devel- opment at Brandeis University in the US. Planning and Policy. “I have a strong opment and Public Policy. Hayatullah Abdishakur is the co-founder and CEO of drive to do more in society,” she says. believes that sound and functional public SomLite, a solar financing and distribution As a practicing nurse and midwife, institutions are the key to sustainable social enterprise that focuses on providing Thokozani has experienced first-hand development and wants to focus on re- energy access to off-grid rural residents. the challenges surrounding health forms that promote good governance and “I believe that access to sustainable energy service delivery in Malawi, such as the transparency. “The program will equip is the pyramid base on which other foun- lack of resources and an enabling public me with the knowledge and expertise for dations of sustainable development – such health policy. policy making and allow me to empower as agriculture, health, and livelihoods – myself to push for sustainable develop- can be built,” he says. ment in Afghanistan,” he says.

“ These policies have lifted over “My goal is 38,000 low income to contribute to families in Zambia increased access to out of extreme quality health care poverty.” and wellbeing.” PHOTO: OFID/NADIA BENAMARA OFID/NADIA PHOTO: Evelyn Changala from Zambia will From Armenia, Mariana Javakhyan Nji Atanga Desmond from Cameroon pursue a degree in Development Studies will study for a degree in Sustainable will study Health Economics at the at the University of Sussex. Evelyn cur- Development. Mariana is part of the University of East Anglia, UK. “My goal rently develops financial inclusion poli- governmental working group for the is to contribute to increased access to cies for small and medium-sized enter- national implementation of the United quality health care and wellbeing,” he prises to promote food security. “These Nations Sustainable Development Goals. says. Nji Atanga has been involved in policies have lifted over 38,000 low in- “I am at the heart of the development promoting the sexual health of adoles- come families in Zambia out of extreme process in my country and studying at cents and helped establish the non-profit poverty and enhanced their household the University of Sussex will give me organization BlockFakeRx, which aims to food security and resilience,” she says. enough strength to become one of the provide low cost quality medication for She has also helped establish zero-inter- drivers of positive change,” she says. low-income communities in Cameroon. est loans for female entrepreneurs, benefiting 25,700 people. 44 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | NEWSROUND

OFID invests in African education sector

FID has committed a total of O US$5 million to the Regional Ed- ucation Finance Fund for Africa (REF- FA) – the first blended finance fund to exclusively support the development of the education sector in Africa. REFFA aims to provide customized financial services for the education sector and increase equal access to primary, secondary, vocational and higher education, as well as enhance the quality of education. “OFID is focused on helping its beneficiary countries make progress in achieving the Sustainable Develop- ment Goals – the fourth of which fo- cuses on education. We are therefore pleased to support this innovative ini- tiative which aims to catalyze private financing to help develop human cap- ital in Africa,” said Tareq Alnassar, OFID Assistant Director General, Pri- vate Sector and Trade Finance Operations. As of June 30, 2018, REFFA had dis- bursed in excess of US$25 million to eight financial institutions in seven countries in Western, Eastern, and Northern Africa. REFFA supports more than 700 schools and over 4,000 students. School fee loans are extend- ed to more than 45,000 families and loans to private schools represent 49 percent of the Fund’s portfolio.

PHOTO: JAKE LYELL/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO NEWSROUND | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 45

US$60m boost to international trade in East and Southern Africa

BY MANYA TANDAN

FID has signed a loan agreement with the Eastern and Southern About TDB African Trade and ODevelopment Bank (TDB), demon- L Established in 1985 as a sub-regional multilateral development strating continued commitment to bank. sustainable development in Africa. L Recently rebranded as TDB from PTA Bank. Amounting to US$60 million, L Provides development capital through trade finance and project the loan will support international finance loans to private sector institutions and sovereigns. trade in TDB’s countries of opera- tions by allowing the bank to on-lend, L Intends to further aims of COMESA region and make the prioritizing sectors that augment economies of member states increasingly complementary. the sustainable socio-economic L Aims to become a world-class financial institution contributing growth of the region. to the economic growth, prosperity and development of the TDB operates in the Common Eastern and Southern African Region. Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) – a free trade area with 19 member states. the cross-border trade prospects beneficiary countries. The invest- The loan has been approved of partner countries. ment further enhances a nine year through OFID’s Trade Finance In 2018, OFID also signed a mem- partnership with TDB, during which window, which supports private bership and subscription agreement time OFID has approved financing enterprises and governments by with TDB amounting to US$20 mil- totaling US$150 million to the bank facilitating import and export re- lion, which provides a platform for the benefit of countries in East quirements. This helps address for TDB to enhance its financing and Southern Africa. N working-capital needs and improves of trade and infrastructure in its

TDB regional members:

P Burundi P Kenya P Sudan P Comoros P Malawi P South Sudan P Democratic Republic of Congo P Mauritius P Swaziland P Djibouti P Mozambique P Tanzania P Egypt P Rwanda P Uganda P Eritrea P Seychelles P Zambia P Ethiopia P Somalia P Zimbabwe 46 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | NEWSROUND

better-quality housing. Project activities will include building and renovating water and sanitary facil- ities, raising awareness of health and hygiene issues and providing support to community-led waste col- lection and management programs. Also planned is an affordable housing scheme that will provide construc-

PHOTO:TAMARA STUBBS/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO tion materials and micro-finance loans, and support capacity build- ing. The agreement was signed at Habitat’s regional office in Bratislava, Slovakia, by OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish and Habitat for Humanity’s Area Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Torre Nelson. At the signing ceremony, Al-Herbish spoke of OFID’s strong Keeping heads above commitment to helping boost socio- economic development in its partner countries – particularly the least water in the wettest developed in sub-Saharan Africa. He said OFID would continue directing capital on earth a substantial portion of its resourc- es to countries lacking adequate water and sanitation infrastructure OFID has signed a grant agreement with Habitat for and facing water shortages. Torre Nelson thanked OFID for Humanity International (Habitat) to support a project its support, which will dramatically to improve living conditions for slum dwellers on Peace improve the living conditions of Island in Greater Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. families – especially children – who had to walk long distances to reach BY ANNA ILARIA-MAYRHOFER a water point. He said Habitat’s

iberia’s most populous city Monrovia is inhabited by circa one million people – around three-quarters Lof whom live in slum settlements. Deemed the wettest capital in the PHOTO: OFID/ARYA USIS world, Monrovia is subject to severe flooding owing to substandard drainage. This, along with poor sanitation, subjects communities to waterborne illnesses and impedes livelihoods and businesses that depend on reliable roads to trans- port goods and services. OFID’s US$420,000 grant agree- ment (the project is co-financed by

Cities Alliance) will support a broad OFID Director-General Al-Herbish and Habitat for Humanity’s Area Vice President for program to provide affordable and Europe, Middle East and Africa Torre Nelson sign a US$420,000 grant agreement. NEWSROUND | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 47

The Liberia Country Program will: Lombok earthquake L Mobilize urban poor groups to help improve response lives. L Provide improved access to water and sanitation. OFID emergency grant L Transform living conditions of poor urban house- holds through investments in city-wide slum supports Indonesia BY STEVE HUGHES upgrading and incremental housing policy frameworks. FID has extended an 7,100 injuries and more than L Recognize the contributions of the informal emergency grant of 431,000 people to be displaced. economy by supporting street vendors in US$400,000 to the Inter- Economic losses are massive, Greater Monrovia to negotiate better working national Federation of thought (so far) to be in the region conditions with city governments. ORed Cross and Red Crescent Societ- of IDR 5.04 trillion, or around L Support communities to create vibrant local ies (IFRC) to support the delivery US$350 million. associations so they are better equipped to of shelter and immediate basic PMI staff and volunteers were achieve long-term improvements in living con- needs by the Indonesian Red Cross, quickly mobilized to support search ditions. nationally known as Palang Merah and rescue efforts and provide L Work with city and national government to Indonesia (PMI), to the victims of emergency first aid and non-food improve strategic urban planning frameworks the recent multiple earthquakes in items including tarpaulin tents and enhance environments for Liberian cities Lombok. and blankets. Ambulances and through the county’s first National Urban Policy. Two earthquakes struck Lombok water trucks were also deployed. The program is running from 2016 to 2021. Island within a week in late July OFID’s grant will help scale-up and early August. Both earthquakes this assistance. Longer term, the SOURCE: CITIES ALLIANCE WEBSITE affected five districts in West Nusa response aims to deliver human- Tenggara Province: North Lombok, itarian assistance to 80,000 people East Lombok, West Lombok, Central (20,000 families). Lombok and Mataram, with North As this issue went to print, OFID partnership with OFID will enable Habitat’s Lombok the hardest hit. A third approved another US$400,000 grant approximately 13,000 people to gain partnership quake hit on August 9 and a fourth to the IFRC to help meet the immedi- access to clean water, adequate sani- on August 18, and aftershocks con- ate needs of victims of a second earth- tation and hygiene. with OFID tinued long after. quake and tsunami that struck Indo- International NGO UN-Habitat will enable Indonesia’s National Disaster nesia’s Sulawesi Island. This brings strives to provide low-income approximately Management Authorities stated that the cumulative total of emergency households with affordable, decent 13,000 people the four earthquakes had caused grants to the IFRC to more than housing through community-led more than 510 fatalities, at least US$25 million for 77 operations. N schemes and aims to develop and to gain expand market-based services, prod- access to ucts and funding. This includes clean water, microfinance and disaster-reduction adequate and preparedness services. Habitat sanitation HUSNI/IFRC PHOTO: is a partner in the five-year Liberia Country Program (see box) – an and hygiene. urban-upgrading program drafted by the global partnership Cities Alliance. Liberia has been a beneficiary of regional OFID grants that have helped fund HIV / AIDS and polio eradication, fight Ebola and support water safety and clean cooking initiatives. N 48 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | NEWSROUND

Arab Coordination Group gathers for 82nd meeting in Vienna

OFID hosted the 82nd Meeting of the Heads of Opera- tions of the Coordination Group of Arab and Regional The meeting’s agenda Development Institutions, the Islamic Development Bank included discussions on: • Planned and ongoing opera- Group (IsDB) and OFID at its Vienna headquarters over tions in partner countries three days in September. • Ongoing progress of the Arab Development Portal • Harmonization of statistics on Arab aid epresentatives from the of this noble institution, I have “I expect • Deep Dive cooperation Asian Development Bank, viewed the Coordination Group as I steadfast with the World Bank the Global Fund and the view OFID, and expect of the Group • Global Partnership for World Bank joined those what I expect of OFID: steadfast am- ambition and Effective Development Rfrom the ten members of the Coordi- bition and unparalleled dedication.” unparalleled Cooperation nation Group for discussions focused Al-Herbish highlighted OFID’s • Abu Dhabi Fund initiative dedication.” on renewable energy on topics ranging from improving efforts in the alleviation of energy Al-Herbish • AGFUND initiative on the development cooperation and effec- poverty, and its special efforts in financial inclusion of the poor tiveness to liaising on upcoming Palestine, and urged the group to • Arab Monetary Fund ongoing developmental projects. continue supporting these initia- work on the Arab financial During his welcome speech, tives as it looks ahead. system OFID Director-General Suleiman High on the meeting’s agenda J Al-Herbish spoke of the Group’s was the Arab Development Portal important role in strengthening (ADP), a Coordination Group initia- and statistics concerning the Arab partnerships and enhancing visi- tive developed in partnership with world. The ADP has become a re- bility with the common goal of pro- the United Nations Development gional hub for data collection and moting sustainable development. Programme (UNDP) to provide up- analysis and is growing ever more “In my years as Director-General to-date development-related data relevant. The ADP team updated

From left: Azzeddine Bouchelaghem, Coordination Secretariat, Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (Arab Fund); OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish; OFID Assistant Director-General, Public Sector Operations, Fuad Albassam; and Assistant to the Coordination Secretariat, Arab Fund, Ali Thunayan Al-Ghanim. NEWSROUND | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 49

the meeting about its role in ensur- ing high quality data and building capacity through workshops. In October, the ADP will host the sec- ond ‘hackathon’ involving youth from Arab countries in Beirut, Lebanon. The importance of the Global Partnership for Effective Develop- ment Cooperation (GPEDC) was also discussed. The GPEDC enables OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish and BSTDB President Ihsan Ugur Delikanli. PHOTO: KPHA the Coordination Group to cooper- ate effectively with other institu- tions outside the United Nations framework. Under the GPEDC, the Boost for Black Sea region Coordination Group has committed to the effective use of its resources OFID to work with Black Sea Trade and Development Bank and to principles of transparency. In order to measure aid effective- to promote economic and social development ness, the group agreed that perfor- BY STEVE HUGHES mance indicators must be set and measured. FID has signed a Coop- “Inter- General Suleiman J Al-Herbish. Other topics on the agenda in- eration Agreement with national “Since OFID’s inception, and through cluded cooperation with the Organi- the Black Sea Trade our public and private operations, sation for Economic Co-operation and Development Bank trade is we have approved more than US$1.3 and Development’s Development O(BSTDB). Under the agreement, the essential to billion to eligible countries in the Black Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC); two development institutions will strong and Sea region, and with the signing of the Deep Dive dialogue with the coordinate efforts to promote the growing this agreement we look forward to World Bank Group; and technical economic and social development further scaling up our support.” meetings with the Asian Develop- of countries of the Black Sea region economies.” Al-Herbish added: “This Cooper- ment Bank and the Global Fund. (see box) through financing private Al-Herbish ation Agreement shows we are The OECD-DAC and Deep-Dive ini- sector projects, trade transactions committed to strengthening devel- tiatives are both concrete examples and private equity investments. opment financing through private of the Coordination Group of Arab “OFID is very pleased to be sector funding and illustrates our and Regional Development Institu- working with the Black Sea Trade belief that international trade is tions’ efforts to combine resources and Development Bank to support essential to strong and growing and align institutional priorities development within its member economies. It is also a good example to realize joint projects and actions. countries,” said OFID Director- of how we look to build partner- The Coordination Group com- ships to tackle the complexities of prises: the Abu Dhabi Fund for sustainable development.” Development, the Arab Bank for Ihsan Ugur Delikanli, BSTDB Economic Development in Africa, About BSTDB President, said: “Development the Arab Fund for Economic and The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank finance institutions need to forge Social Development, the Arab Gulf (BSTDB) is an international financial institution synergies to increase effectiveness Programme for Development, the established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bul- and make a real difference. Our Arab Monetary Fund, the Islamic garia, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Rus- signing today is based on the already Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund sia, Turkey and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquar- established successful interaction for Arab Economic Development, ters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports between BSTDB and OFID on a ma- OFID, the Qatar Development Fund economic development and regional cooperation jor project in Turkey and we hope and the Saudi Fund for Development. by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guar- this MOU will help us to develop a The group will meet next on antees for projects and trade financing in the pub- meaningful and long lasting cooper- January 14, 2019 for the OECD-DAC lic and private sectors in its member countries. ation in the Black Sea region, bring- meeting, hosted by the Arab Fund For information on BSTDB, visit www.bstdb.org ing funds more quickly where they in Kuwait. N are needed.” N 50 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | NEWSROUND

[the Global Goals] even after the Youth + Challenge,” he added. The activities of the challenge are based on AIESEC’s The Young sustainable development Person’s Guide: Changing the World publication and aim to address each = big potential one of the 17 Global Goals. Related tasks and actions fall under four categories: Influencers aim to raise awareness about issues – such as OFID and AIESEC’s One-Day Challenge inspires gender equality or quality educa- young people to achieve the Global Goals tion – through social media; Role-models challenge people to take BY FATMA ELZAHRA ELSHHATI concrete action, such as signing-up to a carbon footprint tracker app; Change-makers encourage engaging FID and global youth- “We believe that young people with others to raise awareness led organization are a strong partner for the imple- of particular issues; and AIESEC have chal- mentation of the Sustainable Devel- SDG Champions inspire young lenged young people opment Goals,” says Abdelrahman people to get creative to drive more Oacross the world to engage with the Ayman, President of AIESEC Inter- major change, by supporting other United Nations Sustainable Develop- national 2017-18. “We are happy young people with work and educa- ment Goals (SDGs) like never before. to partner with OFID on the SDG tion opportunities, for example. The challenge was thrown down Challenge to inspire youth to take OFID and AIESEC believe that at July’s Youth Speak forum in action for the Global Goals. Abdelrahman Ayman, the 1.8 billion young people living in Hurghada, Egypt. Over 650 young “This partnership has helped AIESEC President. the world today have the potential people from more than 120 countries us increase the level of awareness to make the Global Goals a reality. took part in the One-Day Challenge, of young leaders about how their With over 100 tasks completed in which aimed to encourage concrete everyday actions can create a strong just one day, the One-Day Challenge actions to achieve the SDGs, or the ripple effect for positive change and is just one example of how the ball Global Goals as they are also known. most importantly, strive to fulfill can be set in motion. N

AIESEC (pronounced eye-sek) was originally an acronym for Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales. AIESEC is no longer used as an acronym PHOTOS: AIESEC INTERNATIONAL AIESEC PHOTOS: but simply as the name of the organization. The organization is youth-led and encourages young people to explore inter- ests and potential in relation to world issues, leadership and management. In 2015, the orga- nization launched its Youth for Global Goals (Youth4GG) initiative to engage and mobilize young people to achieve the Global Goals. In 2018 alone, AIESEC aims to engage over 100,000 young people and reach 10 million more. OFID DIARY JULY– SEPTEMBER 2018 PHOTO: OPEC PHOTO:

OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish with incoming Director-General OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo honors Al-Herbish Dr Abdulhamid Alkhalifa. with a farewell luncheon with Nigerian Ambassador Vivian Okeke and other dignitaries in attendance.

upgrading of rural roads, devel- employment and living standards, Uganda. US$11.5 million. JULY 3 opment of farmland and improv- as well as helping promote the Luwero-Butalangu Road. To ing links to export and urban optimal use of the country’s improve access to markets, social Public sector loan markets. resources. and health services, and employ- agreement signed ment opportunities for some Malawi. US$15 million. Sri Lanka. US$50 million. AUGUST 27-28 677,000 people comprising farm- Karonga Town Water Supply. Technological Education Devel- ers and businesses in central To expand the capacity of potable opment Program. To improve the Public sector loan Uganda. water supplies in Malawi’s north- provision of technology disci- agreements signed ern region, where demand is plines in more than 300 second- outpacing supply. An estimated Burundi. US$20 million. AUGUST 30 ary schools, benefiting circa 184,000 residents will be able Rumonge-Nyanza Lac Road Reha- 10,000 students per year, as well to enjoy improved health and bilitation. To improve a 52 km Public sector loan as 1,600 administrators and stretch of road that will promote agreements signed teachers. livelihoods. development in Burundi’s south- Bosnia and Herzegovina. west region and strengthen re- Corridor Vc Motorway Project, AUGUST 2 AUGUST 6 gional integration with Tanzania. Subsection Nemila-Donja Gračanica Some 340,000 people will benefit. (Zenica North). US$27.1 million Public sector loan Trade finance and €24.3 million. To improve agreements signed agreement signed Guinea Bissau. US$6 million. Economic Development Project travel connections for some Côte d’Ivoire. US$19 million. Fibabanka AS of Turkey. for the Southern Regions of Guin- 150,000 people in the metropoli- Agricultural Value Chains Devel- US$30 million. To support ea Bissau. To alleviate poverty tan area of Zenica, an important opment Program. To help reduce Fibabanka’s international trade and enhance food security in the center for mining and metallurgy. poverty for around 180,000 finance activities by providing rural communities of Tombali, Works will include construction people through the repair and short-term foreign currency Quinara and Bolama-Bijagos by of a 17.65 km carriageway as well installation of rice and mango financing to its sub-borrowers. increasing rice production and as interchanges, bridges and processing/packaging systems, The facility is expected to boost modernizing 33 km of rural roads. tunnels. 52 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | OFID DIARY

Kazem Gharib Abadi, the new Ambassador of the Permanent Mission Al-Herbish greets the new Ambassador of the Mission of the League of Arab of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Vienna, pays a courtesy visit to OFID States and former Ambassador of Tunisia, Mohamed Samir Koubaa. Director-General Al-Herbish.

food security and socioeconomic Beneficiaries include 116 teachers / Plan International. US$900,000. SEPTEMBER 19 development in the town of trainers, 4,200 young people and To deliver affordable and reliable Angoche, Nampula province. 2,700 small entrepreneurs. modern energy in rural areas of Mali, Niger and Senegal by 164th session of the Sri Lanka. US$40 million. International Federation of Red offering renewable energy Governing Board Rehabilitation of the A017 Road Cross and Red Crescent Societies. services to over 4,650 women-led Corridor (Rakwana – Suriyakanda). US$500,000. To enhance the resil- Public sector loans approved small- and medium-sized enter- To repair an 18 km stretch of road ience of host communities and prises and 600 women’s savings in an area where lack of access to improve living conditions of both Bosnia and Herzegovina. groups comprising around local residents and refugees host- Construction of Hrenovica- markets and social services hin- 21,000 members. Gorazde Expressway and Hranjen ders socioeconomic development. ed in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, by providing safe and sustainable Tunnel. To provide a more effi- Research grants approved cient and less expensive means Grants approved shelter and settlement solutions. of transport in a region where Arab Forum for Environment Arab Organization for International Federation of Red agriculture is a key sector. and Development (AFED). Agricultural Development. Cross and Red Crescent Societies. An estimated 900,000 people US$50,000. To sponsor produc- US$500,000. To boost food security US$1 million. To expand access will benefit (two loans of tion of AFED’s Annual Report and incomes in high-poverty to sustainable water, sanitation US$30m and €35m). and 2018 conference titled rural households in the Darfur and hygiene services and pro- Financing Sustainable Develop- region through the construction/ mote hygiene in high cholera-risk Burkina Faso. US$19 million. ment in Arab Countries. Tougan-Ouahigouya Road. To rehabilitation of water-harvesting districts of Ghana, Malawi and upgrade a 94 km stretch of road and storage facilities, distribution Rwanda. Activities will include International Atomic Energy to promote trade, improve links of agriculture inputs and equip- rehabilitation and construction Agency (IAEA). US$50,000. between production zones and ment, as well as capacity-building of water points and providing To support the participation the capital Ouagadougou, and and outreach activities. schools and households with of professionals from low-income enhance access to social services improved latrines. Also planned countries to attend the IAEA’s Deutsche Welthungerhilfe. for around 250,000 people. are outreach / awareness raising international symposium US$345,000. To provide rural and capacity-building programs, Understanding the Double Burden Malawi. US$12 million. energy solutions in low-coverage aimed at improving the health of Malnutrition for Effective Nkhata Bay Town Water Supply areas in the provinces of and wellbeing of about 115,000 Interventions taking place and Sanitation. To improve health Nangarhar and Parwan, Afgha- people. December 10 – 13, 2018 in Vienna, and living standards for circa nistan. This will help foster Austria. Light for the World. US$500,000. 124,000 people by rehabilitating socio-economic development To help prevent the transmission International Center for and expanding infrastructure and directly benefit circa 22,600 of trachoma and waterborne dis- Agricultural Research in for potable water. people and 45 small businesses. eases commonly associated with the Dry Areas. US$200,000. Mozambique. US$12 million. Institut zur Cooperation bei poor sanitation and hygiene in To increase productivity, resil- Angoche Fishing Port. Rehabilita- Entwicklungs-Projekten (ICEP). the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. ience and marketability of tion of the AO17 Road Corridor US$800,000. To improve the Water points and latrines will micro-nutrient rich legumes in (Rakwana-Suriyakanda). To build quality of programs focusing on be built / repaired in 50 schools Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and a new port that will result in technical and entrepreneurial and outreach activities carried Nepal. The project will directly higher incomes for around 18,000 skills in nine vocational training out to benefit at least 25,000 benefit 5,000 households (farmers artisanal fishermen and enhance centers in Kenya and Uganda. schoolchildren. and consumers) and about OFID DIARY | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 53

Al-Herbish receives former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, now Executive Director of NGO Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

Meetings attended by OFID 25,000 households indirectly This platform will enable project from additional incomes and food developers to design, build, and JULY 23 – 27 SEPTEMBER 6 – 7 security. operate data-driven micro-grids AMSTERDAM, FRANKFURT, GERMANY as well as allow OFID to facilitate European System of Central International Humanitarian THE NETHERLANDS collaboration on mini-grid invest- Banks Legal Conference 2018 Relief (IHR). US$100,000. 22nd International AIDS ments and track impact and To support the continuation of Conference performance. an education program for Syrian SEPTEMBER 10 refugee children at the Saad World Bank’s Global Forum on AUGUST 27 – 30 VIENNA, AUSTRIA Afghanistan Infrastructure Nayel Educational Center. OFID’s Law, Justice and Development. THESSALONIKI, GREECE contribution will help provide Trust Fund (AITF) Financing US$50,000. To co-fund a policy 22nd Meeting of the Interna- schoolbooks and uniforms and Partners Conference study that will explore the inte- tional Financial Institutions partially cover teacher salaries, gration of refugees and asylum Compensation and Benefits WASHINGTON DC, US benefiting about 320 children. seekers in Greece; a session of Specialists IFC Asset Management Law, Justice and Development Islamic Relief, Switzerland. Company Annual Limited Week 2018 titled ‘How Incorporat- US$200,000. To help fund the SEPTEMBER 2 – 5 Partner Program third phase of education and ing Legal Initiatives in World BEIRUT, LEBANON protection programs for refugee Bank Projects is Critical to Strategic Advisory Board SEPTEMBER 11 – 13 children in Lebanon. The project Achieve the Twin Goals of Eradi- meeting of the Arab Develop- VIENNA, AUSTRIA will target 1,700 Palestinian and cating Poverty and Sharing Pros- perity’; and the development of a ment Portal 82nd Heads of Operations Syrian children, in addition to Coordination Group Meeting children from disadvantaged Human-Centered Business Model. families in the Lebanese host community.

Saudi Center for the Rehabilitation and Training of Blind Girls, Jordan. US$150,000. To help finance the expansion of the Saudi Center, which provides courses, cultural activities and a Braille library to visually im- paired girls from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and Yemen.

Shell Foundation. US$150,000. To improve the effectiveness and coordination of mini-grid sector support through the web- Johannes Peterlik, new Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs in the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and based data platform Odyssey. Foreign Affairs meets with Al-Herbish. 54 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | OFID DIARY

164th Session of the Governing Board

The 164th Session of OFID’s Governing Board held in September approved more than US$270 million of new development funding to benefit developing countries across the globe. Amounting to US$154 million, the public sector loans will co-finance projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Mozambique and Sri Lanka. Other approvals include seven grants totaling US$4.5 million to the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development; Deutsche Welthungerhilfe; Institut zur Cooperation bei Entwicklungs-Projekten; International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; Light for the World; and Plan International. Under OFID’s private sector facility, US$42 million was approved to help enhance the energy sector in Bangladesh and support a financial institution in Cambodia. Under the institution’s trade finance opera- tions, US$70 million was approved to help boost the garment production industry in Jordan and support Bader Ahmed Al Qayed international trade activities in Bangladesh and Governor, Qatar Georgia. See pages 51-53 for more details. OFID DIARY | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 55

Dr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse Governor, Nigeria

Jean J Essono Nguema Governor, Gabon

Dr Hamad S Al-Bazai Governor, Saudi Arabia

Jesse Alonso Chacón Escamillo Governor, Venezuela

See the press releases section of www.ofid.org for more information. 56 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | OFID DIARY

July 3. OFID Director-General Al-Herbish and Dr Ranepura Hewage Samantha Samaratunga (left), Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance and Mass Media of Sri Lanka, sign a US$50 million public sector loan agreement to support the Technological Education Development Program.

LOAN SIGNATURE PHOTO GALLERY

August 2. The Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Austria Roger A Kacou and Al-Herbish sign a US$19 million loan agreement for the Agricultural Value Chains Development Program to help improve living conditions and incomes for around 180,000 people.

August 2. A US$15 million loan agreement signed by Al-Herbish and Michael B Kamphambe Nkhoma, Ambassador of Malawi to Germany, will co-finance a project aimed at expanding potable water supplies for around 184,000 people in Karonga Town in the country’s northern region. OFID DIARY | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 57

August 27. Al-Herbish and Dr Domitien Ndihokubwayo, Burundi’s Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Development, sign a US$20 million loan agreement for the Rumonge-Nyanza Lac Road Rehabilitation Project to promote development and strengthen regional integration with Tanzania.

August 27. Rui Domingos Baticã, Ambassador of Guinea Bissau to Germany, and Al-Herbish sign a US$6 million loan agreement that will help bolster economic development in the southern regions of Guinea Bissau.

August 28. Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija and Al-Herbish sign a US$11.5 million loan agreement for the Luwero- Butalangu Road Project, which will improve access to social services and job opportunities for some 677,000 people. SPOTLIGHT

Anne-Marie Leroy on the ‘extraordinary institution’ that is the World Bank

Anne-Marie Leroy is recently retired from her position as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the World Bank Group. On a visit to OFID earlier this year, she spoke with the OFID Quarterly about retirement, working for the good of mankind and being moved to tears out in the field. As told to Steve Hughes… SPOTLIGHT | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 59

’ve been retired for more to tears. That’s the kind of thing than one-and-a-half years that happens when you’re at the now. I recommend it – you World Bank. should take retirement at In terms of development and yourI first opportunity. I read, I the Sustainable Development Goals travel, I go to the pool – but I resist (SDGs), I’m optimistic. For me, edu- my husband’s efforts to get me into cation is at the heart of it all. It’s gardening. through education that you prepare Why did I choose law? Because the future; that you build gender I was terrible at maths! If you can’t equality; that you improve health do maths, you do law, but I ended up and agriculture and wellbeing... liking it. From the beginning of my The world is doing well when it comes career, I’ve been more involved in to achieving universal primary designing, drafting and interpreting PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE WORLD BANK LEGAL VICE PRESIDENCY education and we’re well on the way laws. From law, I logically moved with secondary education. But it’s into public affairs, which is a much about quality. Are children actually broader field. Public policy is what learning anything? interests me. Energy is also a priority for the I don’t like to talk about ‘achieve- bank. The World Bank President ments’, but there have been high [Jim Yong Kim] is a medical doctor Anne-Marie Leroy with Jim Yong Kim, World Bank President, points during my career. One was on the occasion of her retirement party (December 7, 2016) and he knows that without electric- being appointed senior advisor to ity, you can’t run a maternity ward France’s Prime Minister, Lionel revolutionary at the time. Instead “I believe so you can’t fight maternal and child Jospin [who served between 1997 of issuing an international tender it is one of the mortality; without electricity, kids and 2002]. I was in charge of govern- for reconstruction work, which can’t study at home after school ment reform. When you’re at the would have taken years to materia- most remark- because it’s dark. It goes on. heart of the government machinery lize, he had convinced the Bank to able things I do believe that when the inter- you really see what’s going on in the simply give money to people to that the inter- national community sets its mind on country and all that is at stake, and re-build their own houses. In a few national com- achieving these type of goals, it will Jospin was a real statesman. months, the people were back in achieve progress. But I doubt wheth- The second high point was the their homes, and in the process munity has er the SDGs will be reached by 2030. World Bank. The Bank is an extra- they had given business to local ever put Some of them are pretty ambitious. ordinary institution and it was a constructors instead of the large together.” But there will be progress, and I privilege to work there. You’re at multinational companies who would think that is what counts. the center of the international com- have won the big tenders. When I munity and its efforts to fight pov- visited, he had just applied the same erty, to foster development, to com- recipe to an area devastated by an bat inequality. There are very few earthquake two years before. The institutions that give you the oppor- Bank had also provided some tech- tunity to wake up every morning nical assistance to teach people how believing what you are doing is for to build to withstand earthquakes, the good of mankind. The Bank is and everything was already back not perfect because it’s a very large to normal. institution, so there is bureaucracy. We walked through the streets, But I believe it is one of the most and a homeowner showed me the remarkable things that the interna- type of bolt he’d used so that his Anne-Marie Leroy was visit- tional community has ever put wall could move in case of an earth- ing OFID to attend and deliver a together. It achieves a great deal. quake. And then a tiny elderly wom- keynote speech at the 23rd IFIs My fondest memory of the bank? an came running out of her house. General Counsels Annual Meet- Visiting my staff in Indonesia. I met She gave the task manager a huge ing. For more information about with the World Bank task manager bear hug. ‘I know you,’ she said to the event, see page 52 of the last responsible for the reconstruction him. ‘You came after the tsunami edition of the OFID Quarterly project after the Aceh tsunami. and said you would rebuild my magazine (July 2018). He had accomplished something house. And you did.’ I was moved PERSPECTIVES

the host community. Among these is the small business of Safi Kisasa, who earns her daily income through bread-baking. Known by her friends “We call it a camp, as Mama Safi, she employs over a dozen people in the camp and bakes more than 1,000 loaves of bread but it’s really a city” per week. “We call it a camp, but it’s really a city,” Tayyar Sukru Cansizoglu, Kakuma Camp: Redefining the the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Head of Sub-Office Kakuma, told refugee experience in Africa the OFID Quarterly. “It is providing a place with opportunities for refu- BY OFID INTERN NADINE FATTAH gees that can’t be found anywhere AND COMMUNICATION OFFICER FATMA ELZAHRA ELSHHATI else in Kenya.” The environment in the camp, t the Kakuma Refugee the progressive nature of the camp, Cansizoglu explains, has allowed Camp in rural Kenya, in- and those living in it. refugees to rebuild their lives and habitants are redefining In 26 years of existence, Kakuma search for solutions – to become what it means to be a has transitioned from a place of tem- more self-reliant. “This does not Arefugee. Situated in Turkana Coun- porary asylum to an ‘urban center’, mean that refugees here are no ty, the camp is home to over 150,000 complete with its own market. longer in need of humanitarian refugees – primarily from South Referred to by many as ‘Hong Kong’, aid,” Cansizoglu clarifies. “Rather, Sudan and Somalia – making it one the market is home to over 1,200 it represents Kakuma’s environ- of the seven largest refugee camps refugee-run businesses, which offer ment which provides opportunities in the world. The success stories of a variety of products and services to for refugees to make the most out Kakuma refugees are a tribute to both the camp’s residents as well as of their resources.” PHOTO: REUTERS/THOMAS MUKOYA PHOTO:

An aerial view shows recently constructed houses at the Kakuma refugee camp in Turkana county, northwest of Nairobi, Kenya. PERSPECTIVES | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 61

During the 2016 One Young World (OYW) Summit in Ottawa, Canada, OFID hosted a session themed “Ref- ugee Heroes”. The session highlighted the stories of four individuals with refugee backgrounds to an international audience. Two of the OFID-sponsored delegates were PHOTO: ONE YOUNG WORLD

Anjelina Nada Lohalith and James Nayang Chiengjie, refugees from South Sudan who had grown up in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Lohalith and Chiengjie shared their stories of life in the camp and spoke about their experi- ences as athletes in the first refugee team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

M H Mohamud, a Somalian A recent report by the Interna- “We have refugees have employed locals refugee living in the camp, adds: tional Finance Corporation (IFC) gone in camp jobs and town residents “In the last couple of years, there supports this claim and illustrates a from seeing sell resources to refugees. has been a shift in the mindset of unique dynamic between Turkana ourselves “That Kakuma refugees and refugees in Kakuma. We have gone locals and Kakuma refugees. The as hopeless Kenyans are able to attend school, from seeing ourselves as hopeless report finds that the refugee entre- victims... work and trade together both in victims who rely on food aid and preneurs in Kakuma have not only to viewing camp and in Kalobeyei (a nearby NGO assistance to viewing the camp been able to support themselves, but settlement) illustrates the positive the camp as as ours, and becoming active and also members of their host coun- social and economic potential of ours.” productive members of society.” tries. In Kakuma, the report notes, refugee integration,” Cansizoglu Development institutions includ- adds. ing the World Bank are committed M H Mohamud and Mama Safi to furthering this shift by support- are just two of many people creat- ing refugees and host communities OFID works hard to keep migration and all ing positive change in Kakuma in ways that complement, rather its related issues in the spotlight, not least Camp. During June, in an event than replace, the work of humani- dedicating the whole of 2016 – the organi- organized by TEDx, a non-profit tarian partners. “Including refugees zation’s 40th anniversary – to raising aware- organization with the aim of spread- in development planning and na- ness of the plight of refugees. One of many ing empowering messages, many tional systems is a key part of this projects related to refugees (in Africa) was more stories were told by the camp’s approach,” says Franck Bousquet, the humanitarian aid of US$500,000 OFID current and former inhabitants. Senior Director of the World Bank extended in support of providing food and Under the theme of Thrive, they Fragility, Conflict and Violence nutrition to vulnerable refugees in Uganda, highlighted their stories of success Group (FCV). In this way, the World Ethiopia, Sudan and Kenya in 2014. This despite difficult circumstances. Bank believes refugees can become project was conducted in partnership with The environment in Kakuma Camp, active recipients of aid and capital- the World Food Program (WFP). however, no doubt fosters many ize on its impact by developing their more untold stories. N own skills. MEMBER STATES FOCUS

Art and expression in Libya

WaraQ Art Foundation showcases p and coming artist Takwa Barnosa has an the work of young contemporary ambitious goal: to revive Libyan artists at home and abroad. the art scene in Libya. UIn 2015, then 17 years-old, Barnosa BY FATMA ELZAHRA ELSHHATI founded the WaraQ Art Foundation with the aim of promoting free expression among young people in Libya. Since then, she has been the organizer and curator for exhibi- tions held both at home in Libya and abroad. The Foundation’s latest interna- tional exhibition entitled ‘Across Borders’ was held in Vienna and showcased the work of 11 young contemporary Libyan artists. “The exhibition encouraged artists to challenge their own boundaries and the borders that surround them – personal, social, political and geographical borders,” Barnosa explains to the OFID Quarterly. In her own work, Barnosa offers commentary on current social issues through calligraphy and pho- Takwa Barnosa tography. In the Vienna exhibition, writing ‘art’ in Barnosa’s Arabic calligraphy spells Arabic and her out the words ‘commodity’, ‘fear’ native language Amazighe. and ‘failure’. The words are superim- MEMBER STATES FOCUS | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018 | 63

PHOTOS: OFID/FATMA ELZAHRA ELSHHATI

posed onto photographs of refugees public spaces to promote the values It’s been a ‘Improvised’ exhibition was charac- crossing the Mediterranean on of openness and inclusivity. Using tough task to terized by its experimental and in- dinghies. the city as their canvas, young artists highlight clusive approach to art and invited “I realized that the best way to are showcasing their work. “We see contemporary members of the public to engage in start a career as a curator and cul- the public space as an alternative for issues in a interactive sessions. tural manager was to learn by do- the absence of art galleries and cul- country still “We prepared the lake area to ing,” Barnosa says. “So I invested all tural institutions,” Barnosa says. healing from look like a studio and provided all my education savings on the Founda- “If we can’t have our freedom of ex- the equipment,” explains Barnosa. conflict. tion’s start-up. The opening of our pression in our own space, we go to “People could create artworks (in ‘work space’ was in 2016 – it was the the public, present what we do, inte- groups) with supervision and guid- first independent work space and grate with them, and bring people ance from professional artists from gallery since the revolution.” together through art.” WaraQ community. It’s been a tough task to highlight Another recent exhibition, held “I can’t tell exactly how many contemporary issues in a country in August, marked International people attended because it was a very still healing from conflict. “We faced Youth Day. It was supported by the open event in an open area,” she says. different challenges when it came to United Nations Population Fund (UN- “But the crowd was craving more acceptance, security and funding,” FPA) and held near the Red Castle paint and brushes, and we ran out she continues. Following the Founda- Lake in the heart of Tripoli. The of canvas eventually.” N tion’s exhibition focusing on human rights, WaraQ’s space was shut down in 2017. However, Barnosa explains that she – and fellow artists – were inspired to continue work, expand- ing to a wider audience and promot- ing Libyan artists locally and internationally. “What we need urgently at the moment is to raise awareness about the importance of art in our daily life, specifically in a post-con- flict society like the one we live in,” Barnosa says. “This can be achieved by focusing on audience develop- ment and targeting the public with all its differences.” With this in mind, the WaraQ Art Foundation is bringing art into Failure, Takwa Barnosa. 64 | OFID QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2018

OPEC OPEC launches World Oil Outlook 2018

OPEC has launched the 2018 World Oil Outlook (WOO) in Algiers, Algeria. First published in 2007, the WOO presents a review and assessment of the global oil industry to 2040.

his year’s publication countries) “helping accelerate the considers developments return of balance to the global oil in the global economy, market, bringing more optimism PHOTO: OPEC PHOTO: energy demand, oil supply to the industry, which in turn, has Tand demand, policy and technology had a positive effect in the global developments, and environment and economy and trade worldwide.” sustainable development concerns, He added that “the importance among others. of these recent developments, spe- In launching the WOO, OPEC cifically in terms of helping achieve Secretary General Mohammad sustainable market stability, is Sanusi Barkindo said that the past clearly vital across all timeframes,” year had been a historic one for the which is evidenced in the analysis organization as well as the global provided in the WOO 2018. oil industry, with the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ (resulting from Mem- See the OPEC website ber Countries of OPEC coordinating www.opec.org with 11 non-OPEC oil producing for more information. OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo.

Highlights from this year’s L Long-term demand growth comes mainly from the petro- WOO include: chemicals (4.5 mb/d), road transportation (4.1 mb/d) and aviation (2.7 mb/d) sectors. L Oil is expected to remain the fuel with the largest share L The total vehicle fleet – including passenger and commer- in the energy mix throughout the forecast period to 2040. cial vehicles – is projected to increase to around 2.4 billion L Total primary energy is set to expand by a robust 33 per- in 2040. cent between 2015 and 2040, driven predominantly by L The majority of the growth continues to be for conven- developing countries, which see almost 95 percent of the tional vehicles, but the long-term share of electric vehicles overall energy demand growth. in the total fleet is projected to expand and reach a level L Natural gas witnesses the largest demand growth in ab- of around 13 percent in 2040, supported by falling battery solute terms, and renewables the largest growth in per- costs and policy support. centage terms. L OPEC remains fully engaged and supportive of the Paris L Long-term oil demand has been revised upward for the Agreement on climate change, and it is vital to collectively second consecutive year, with total demand at over 111.7 develop and adopt technologies, as well as all-inclusive million barrels of oil per day (mb/d) in 2040. energy policies, that transform the environmental creden- L Demand growth is driven by non-OECD regions, which tials of all energies. see a huge increase of around 23 mb/d to 2040. L Energy poverty remains a major global challenge, with L There is no expectation for peak oil demand over the almost one billion people still without access to electricity forecast period to 2040. and three billion lacking access to clean fuels for cooking. OPEC launches World Oil Outlook 2018 Parkring 8, A-1010 Vienna, Austria P.O. Box 995, A-1011 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+43-1) 515 64-0 Fax: (+43-1) 513 92-38 www.ofid.org