The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group President, Donald Kaberuka, will from November 22-24, 2008, be on an officials visit to Niger where he will be received in audience by Niger's President, Mamadou Tandja.
During his three-day visit to the country, Mr. Kaberuka will meet with the country's Finance Minister and AfDB Governor for Niger, Ali Mahaman Zeine, as well as other senior government officials. Mr. Kaberuka will, above all, hold working sessions with the country's other technical and financial partners before visiting Bank-funded projects.
"As an AfDB executive director for Niger, I am pleased that this visit is taking place at a very important moment in the country's socio-economic development. I am hopeful that the Niger-AfDB partnership will strengthen over the next years," Mr. Frédéric Korsaga said.
Niger and the AfDB have recently signed a loan agreement in Tunis, Tunisia, for the financing of the Kandadji dam which gives new impetus to bilateral relations.
"The visit, which comes in the wake of the loan and grant agreements on the Kandadji project, reflects the importance the AfDB president attaches to our partnership with Niger. I believe that this partnership will grow over the next years," AfDB Operations West Director, Janvier Litsé, said.
The AfDB started operations in Niger in 1970 where its cumulative commitments amount to CFAF 290 billion for 63 operations covering all sectors of the country's economy. In order to help the country pursue economic recovery reform efforts, the AfDB has planned to allocate CFAF 70 billion to Niger under ADF-XI.
