The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved the institution's intervention strategy in Eritrea for 2017-2019.

The Interim Country Strategy Paper (I-CSP) supports the Government's National Development Plan (2014-2018) for the country's economic and social development through agricultural transformation.

Focusing on transforming the agricultural sector as the pathway to promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the I-CSP provides for investments to improve access to inputs and agricultural technology. It will also put in place enablers for job creation, skills development and entrepreneurship in agriculture, particularly for the youth and regions (zobas and sub-zobas) that are considered to be below national service delivery indicators.

Interventions in the agricultural sector will aim at transforming the sector to unlock its full inclusive and sustainable growth and development potential by enhancing production, productivity, value-addition, and marketing fruits and vegetables, horticulture, and dairy products within the region. They will also promote greater inclusivity by increasing incomes and employment, with a focus on underserved women, youths and regions.

Secondly, technical assistance, advisory services, and advocacy informed by appropriate knowledge works, will be provided to build public sector institutional and human capacities to enhance the Government's delivery of basic social services.

The strategy includes key cross-cutting themes such as improving governance, reducing gender inequalities, developing skills and adaptation to climate change.

The implementation of this strategy coincides with approval of the 4th Cycle Assessment of country eligibility for Transition Support Facility resources which underscore Eritrea's eligibility for support.

In approving the strategy, the Board raised issues of governance and emphasized the need for the Bank's continued engagement to help the country build institutional capacity.