Just like other countries across the continent, the Central African Republic celebrated the 60th anniversary of the African Development Bank in Bangui on 21-22 November. The Bank's country office in the Central African Republic organised two days of celebrations on its premises, under the patronage of Richard Filakota, Minister of the Economy, Planning and International Cooperation, who is also the Bank's Governor for the country.
The first day of festivities was notable for an opening ceremony attended by more than 150 VIPs, including four members of the Central African government: Filakota and his counterparts from the Ministries of Finance, Public Works and Equipment, and Labour. Also in attendance were senior officials from the Central African public administration, members of the diplomatic corps, including the ambassadors of the United States, France, the European Union, Morocco and Rwanda, development partners (including the World Bank), the African Union, United Nations agencies, and representatives of Central African civil society.
A corporate film about the Bank's transformative role was broadcast followed by speeches from Mamady Souaré, the Bank's Country Manager for the Central African Republic, and Filakota.
Project visit
The day continued with a visit to a landmark water and sanitation project for the capital Bangui and the surrounding area. This is the First Sector Sub-Programme for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation (PSEPA), an ongoing project financed by the African Development Bank to the tune of $28.2 million.
The programme, which runs until 31 December, has recorded several noteworthy achievements: a water distribution network, a pumping station in Bangui that has increased the nominal drinking water production capacity from 1,500 m3/h to 8,000 m3/h, 63 productive boreholes equipped with human-powered pumps, 35 public lavatories, and capacity-building for the Central African Water Distribution Company (SODECA) in equipment and materials.
A press conference, co-organised by the Bank and Filakota, featured the Bank's 60th anniversary and historic partnership with the Central African Republic (CAR).
Since the country's accession in 1972, the collaboration has been characterised by constant and significant support, with the approval on 12 July 1972 of the Bank's first operation in CAR. Since then, over 78 projects worth $1.05 billion have been implemented in the Central African country, involving crucial sectors such as agriculture and drinking water, infrastructure, energy, digital technology, education, and health.
Major initiatives such as Phase I of the Pointe-Noire-Brazzaville-Bangui-N'Djamena Multimodal Transport Corridor Development Project (CD13), which gives the Central African Republic a second access route to the sea, and the Regional Support Programme for Water Infrastructure and Resource Development, aimed at increasing the rate of secure access to improved drinking water services from 36 percent to 75 percent in the capital Bangui, highlight the institution's commitment to the country's sustainable development.
Open day in Bangui
The second day of celebrations featured an open day at the Bank's premises in Bangui. The aim of the event was to promote the Bank's accessibility, transparency and accountability using visual aids: photos, a scrolling banner, a kakemono, distribution of leaflets and flyers, booklets, projection of promotional videos, and reports on the Bank's achievements in the Central African Republic.
"The presence of the Central African authorities, ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions illustrates the importance of the African Development Bank in the country," Souaré said. "These two days have confirmed the transformational role that the Bank plays in the Central African Republic."
