The Boards of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group approved, on 21 July 2010, a proposal to strengthen Bank's presence in Zimbabwe by opening a Country Office.

The Bank's enhanced presence in Zimbabwe will greatly strengthen its capacity to play a lead role in the collective dialogue in Zimbabwe and to provide advice and support to the Inclusive Government to ensure that Zimbabwe continues on the path of reforms and reengagement with the international community. Enhancing Bank presence in Zimbabwe is in line with the Bank's decentralization policy.

In February 2009, the Inclusive Government, with the backing of Southern African Development Community (SADC), requested the Bank to take a lead role in assisting Zimbabwe on re-engagement with the international community. As the premier African multilateral development institution, the Bank is well placed to take up this challenge, as well as provide knowledge and advisory services necessary for economic recovery and sustained development.

Since March 2009, the Bank has had a team of staff in Harare as an extended mission to facilitate dialogue with the Inclusive Government and the international community. This has enabled the Bank to exercise leadership in the re-engagement process by engaging with both the government and development partners, as well as civil society and the private sector. Besides coordinating important meetings as part of the Bank's leadership in the re-engagement process, the extended mission is also coordinating the Banks' capacity building support from the Fragile States Facility (FSF) and other activities from the African Water Facility (AWF).

Contacts

Yvan Cliche