Reinforcing dialogue with Regional Member Countries and reassuring them of the continued support of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group despite a difficult economic climate are among the themes the President of the AfDB will be addressing during his visit to four West African countries next week.

AfDB-Senegal Cooperation Highlighted

The President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, will first travel to Senegal from September 9-11 for an official visit. During his stay, he will meet with the President of the Republic, Macky Sall, and government officials to discuss cooperation between the West African country and the African Development Bank Group.

While in Senegal, Dr. Kaberuka will meet with the Bank's technical and financial partners, and visit key infrastructure projects that have benefited from the Bank's support, including the Dakar-Diamniadio toll highway and the container terminal in the port of Dakar.

The Bank's investment in Senegal dates back to 1972 and has resulted in significant developments in that country. To date, the African Development Bank Group has invested approximately US $1.69 billion in projects in Senegal, the equivalent of 856 billion CFA francs.

Some Bank-funded projects that have positively impacted the country's development include improvements to the Dakar-Bamako and Dakar-Conakry corridors; the new Blaise Diagne International Airport; the Kounoune power station; irrigation systems spanning 4,000 hectares in the regions of Fatick, Kedougou, Kolda and Tambacounda; and the development of sustainable agriculture in the Casamance.

The AfDB's Dakar office opened in 2005 and services Senegal, Cape Verde, the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Mrs. Leila Mokadem is the Bank's Resident Representative for the Dakar-Senegal regional office.

Mid-Term Review of the African Development Fund in Cape Verde

From Dakar, President Kaberuka travels to Praia, Cape Verde, to attend the Mid-Term Review of the African Development Fund (ADF), from September 11 to 14. The Fund's 12th replenishment (ADF-12), valued at close to US $9.5 billion for the period of 2011-2013, will be discussed at the meeting. In 2011, the approval amount for the Fund rose to US $2.8 billion. Since its creation in 1973 as the concessional window of the African Development Bank Group, the ADF has financed approximately 2,450 projects and programs totaling close to US $34 billion.

Following the Reform Process in Guinea

President Kaberuka leaves Cape Verde for Guinea, where he will stay from September 15-18, at the invitation of the President of the Republic Alpha Condé. The visit will enable the AfDB President and his delegation to examine first-hand the progress made in that country since the 2010 elections, and to discuss the best way for the Bank to accompany the country through its process of economic transformation and the reinforcement of its institutions.

The AfDB President will meet with the Bank's technical and financial partners in Guinea prior to meeting with the country's President of the National Transitional Council and his counterpart from the Economic and Social Council.

The private sector in Guinea will not be overlooked during the visit. The AfDB delegation will meet with operators from the mining and banking sectors, in addition to representatives from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and small and medium industries (SMIs).

Discussions with the National Council of Civil Society Organizations and a press conference are also programmed for Dr. Kaberuka's visit, as are tours of two infrastructure projects financed by the Bank: the improvements to the Tombo-Gbessia and Tombo-Moussoudougou roads, and a project to expand the electricity network in Conakry, the capital.

As of August 2012, the African Development Bank Group had financed 77 operations, globally valued at US $800 million, not including multinational projects.

Inauguration of the AfDB Office in Liberia

President Kaberuka will end his tour of West Africa in Liberia on September 18. The AfDB President will be received by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and will hold discussions with the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Finance and AfDB Governor, Mr. Amara M. Konneh.

While visiting the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Kaberuka will attend presentations on issues such as results in public finance management. He was also visit the country's Senate.

On the occasion of his visit, Dr. Kaberuka will also inaugurate the Liberia office of the African Development Bank Group. A press conference will follow the opening ceremony.