The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group on Wednesday, February 13, in Tunis approved a 22-million euro loan to Tunisia to finance the Gafsa North Integrated Agricultural Development Project, which aims to reduce poverty in the area.

The project will help reduce poverty in the Gafsa Governorate by improving rural infrastructure and ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources. It involves the development of rural roads, water, soil and agrarian development, the electrification of 750 water points for irrigation, support to micro-projects for women and youth. Animal husbandry and technical support to farmers are equally part of the project, which will build on the achievements of the previous phase that was implemented in the southern parts of the Governorate.

Almost 186,200 people, representing 38,700 households in the Gafsa and covering 28 administrative sectors will benefit from this project. The Tunisian Government will provide 7 million euros in funding, bringing the total cost of the project to 29 million euros.

The project is in line with the Country Strategy Paper (CSP 2012-2013) prepared by the AfDB in support of the program of the transitional government (12th plan 2012-2016). The CSP seeks to reduce regional disparity by setting up important rural infrastructure to benefit the most impoverished regions.

Gafsa is located 369 kilometres southwest of Tunis.