African Development Bank (AfDB) President Donald Kaberuka is paying an official visit to Brazzaville in the Republic of the Congo and Libreville in Gabon from February 24 to 27, 2014 to reiterate the Bank's commitment to continue and further cooperation with both countries.

The visit will be used to review the respective portfolios and priorities related to better regional integration with a view to the inclusive and sustainable development of this part of the African continent.

The agenda will also focus on the Africa50 Fund. This fund is a financial instrument created by AfDB to mobilize private financing and accelerate infrastructure development in Africa in order to build a new platform for growth. Africa50 is intended to focus on projects with great national and regional impact in the energy, transport, information and communications technology, and water sectors.

During his stay, Kaberuka will meet with President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Congo and President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon. Working sessions are also scheduled with members of the two governments, technical and financial partners and representatives of the private sector.

AfDB support for Central African countries' integration is enshrined in a regional integration strategy document. The aim of this strategy is to contribute to poverty reduction through the development of regional infrastructure and the strengthening of the institutional and human capacities of the 10 countries forming the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

AfDB actions in the region will help increase intra-regional trade, improve people's access to transport, electricity and telecommunications services, and consolidate growth in the non-petroleum private sector. They will also help develop agricultural potential, locally transform the region's natural resources and provide support for the management and protection of the environment.