The African Development Bank (AfDB) has released the first-ever Green Growth Framework that will function as a foundational reference document for its future work on green growth. The framework, called Entry points for action for transition to Green Growth in Africa, outlines the concept of green growth in the African context and builds a shared understanding of entry points for engagement for AfDB staff with the Bank's regional member countries.

Following the approval, Alex Rugamba, Director of the AfDB's Energy, Environment and Climate Change Department, elaborated on the purpose of the document: "The framework is intended to guide Bank staff on facilitating the region's gradual transition to green growth. We see it as a living document that will be updated as the Bank's experience in facilitating the transition to green growth in Africa advances."

The AfDB's Green Growth Framework begins by defining and explaining the rationale for green growth within the African development context. It explains approaches, strategic entry points, methodologies and tools, financing instruments and indicators for tracking progress on mainstreaming green growth into development policies and activities.

The framework was developed as part of the discourse on green growth in preparation for and follow-up to the Bank's Strategy for 2013-2022. The strategy seeks to promote high quality growth in Africa and has the twin objectives of inclusive growth and a transition to green growth. Specifically, the document builds on initial knowledge products and publications developed by the Bank's cross-departmental Green Growth Team.

Year of Agriculture - Jobs & Food

Africa's recent growth has failed to translate into meaningful job creation and the broad-based economic and social development needed to reduce poverty and inequality. Although agricultural growth is a critical driver of inclusive growth and poverty reduction, Africa's agriculture sector and agribusinesses are underperforming. Africa also has the highest prevalence of undernourishment in the world, with one in four people undernourished.As part of the African Development Bank's continuing efforts to address these challenges, and in solidarity with the African Union's declaration of 2014 as the Africa Year of Agriculture and Food Security, the Bank has commemorated Africa Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Abidjan.

The writing process involved intensive Bank-wide consultations including with AfDB field offices. In addition, three regional training workshops were carried out in Nairobi, Abidjan and Pretoria in 2013. The guidance provided in the document also reflects knowledge amassed during pilot country activities carried out by the Bank and development partners in Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Kenya. Sector specific guidance notes accompany the document.

Green growth is about empowering countries to realize their development objectives and growth targets, while (i) maximizing natural resource use efficiency, (ii) minimizing waste and pollution, and (iii) strengthening the resilience of livelihoods and economic sectors to exogenous shocks. Green growth cannot be achieved overnight, but only through a gradual transition, tailored to national circumstances. By expanding its diagnostics and indicators, the AfDB can help its member countries make informed decisions on what development pathways to pursue and how to best utilize resources to promote sustainable, robustness growth over time.