Tag Archives: economic diversification

Agriculture, AMA

Guinea Launches AgriConnect Compact to Transform Agri-Food Systems, Strengthen Food Security, and Create Jobs

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Washington, USA, 04 May 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The Government of Guinea, in partnership with the World Bank Group, today announced the launch of the Guinea AgriConnect Compact. This integrated strategic framework aims to accelerate sustainable transformation of agrifood systems, strengthen food and nutrition security, create decent jobs, and position agriculture as a key driver of inclusive growth and industrialization.

The initiative is aligned with the 2040 Simandou Agenda, specifically its Pillar 1, which identifies agriculture and livestock as key drivers for economic diversification, export development, and job creation. It is based on a strengthened and complementary coordination approach involving the Government, the World Bank Group through the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), as well as technical and financial partners, the private sector, and producer organizations.

The compact aligns three priorities: rural infrastructure, public reforms and investments, and mobilizing private finance around shared goals for agricultural transformation, job creation, and food security.

“AgriConnect enables a better coordination of the World Bank Group’s instruments – IDA, IFC and MIGA – to support Guinea in a profound transformation of its agriculture,” said Issa Mare Diaw, World Bank Group Resident Representative for Guinea. “By combining reforms, public investment, and private sector engagement, we aim to help build more productive, resilient, and inclusive agri-food systems that can deliver food security while creating jobs.”

Priority value chains identified include rice and poultry – to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on imports – complemented by maize and soybeans as strategic inputs. The compact also supports high-potential diversification and export value chains, including fonio and mangoes.

“With the AgriConnect Compact, Guinea is taking a decisive step forward in positioning agriculture as a central pillar of economic transformation, directly linked to the opportunities offered by the Simandou corridor,” said Aminata Kaba, Minister of Agriculture. “Our ambition is to ensure long-term food security, create decent jobs for youth and women, and promote competitive, resilient and market-oriented agriculture.”

“The livestock sector occupies a strategic place in our food security and import substitution policy, particularly for the poultry sector,” said Félix Lamah, Minister of Livestock. “The AgriConnect Compact will build the capacity of producers, improve access to essential inputs such as maize and soybeans, and develop more efficient and inclusive livestock value chains.”

By 2030, the AgriConnect Guinea Compact aims in particular to contribute to: (i) a significant improvement in food and nutrition security, (ii) the creation of hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the agricultural and agri-food value chains, particularly for young people and women, (iii) the reduction of dependence on imports of staple foods, particularly rice and poultry products, and (iv) the valorization of the export potential of products such as fonio and mangoes.

“The AgriConnect Compact is fully in line with our ambition to build a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous Guinea,” said Mariama Ciré Sylla, Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget. “It reflects our desire to make agriculture and livestock farming real levers for transformation, job creation and economic sovereignty, in line with the Simandou 2040 Program and our national economic diversification agenda.”

AgriConnect is a World Bank Group initiative to help 300 million smallholder farmers around the world to better valorize their crops to increase their incomes by 2030. It is supported by partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Bayer, and Google.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

Contacts
In Conakry for the World Bank:
Zubah Beavogui,
+224 625259536
zbeavogui@worldbankgroup.org

For the Ministry of Agriculture:
Kadiatou Bah,
+224 628462692
attachee.cabinet@agriculture.gov.gn

The post Guinea Launches AgriConnect Compact to Transform Agri-Food Systems, Strengthen Food Security, and Create Jobs appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA

Narrow Path to Recovery: Finding a Climate-Smart Pathway and Stabilizing South Sudan’s Economy

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Washington, USA, 05 February 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Two new World Bank Group reports released today underscore that South Sudan stands at a critical crossroads, where restoring public finances and taking urgent, climate-smart action are essential to reversing economic decline and placing the country on a sustainable development path. The new Public Finance Review (PFR) and Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) warn that intensifying climate shocks, combined with weak fiscal management, is driving a dangerous cycle of fragility, conflict, displacement, and deepening poverty.

The reports find that devastating floods, rising temperatures, and increasingly frequent climate shocks are already reshaping livelihoods, weakening the economy, and heightening social vulnerability—particularly for women, pastoralists, and resource-dependent communities. These pressures are compounding long-standing structural constraints: despite vast oil resources, South Sudan’s development has stalled due to fragile institutions, opaque revenue management, misallocation of public spending, and elevated macroeconomic vulnerabilities.

The Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) projects that South Sudan will require over US$13 billion in climate adaptation investments by 2050. Extreme flooding, now considered the ‘new normal’ covers up to one-quarter of the country in severe years, cutting communities off from essential services, damaging livelihoods, and contributing to widespread food insecurity. Climate change is also projected to cause substantial declines in labor productivity, livestock revenues, and crop yields, including an 8% reduction in sorghum yields by 2050 under hotter climate conditions.

The Public Finance Review (PFR) documents how volatility and eroded fiscal space have been driven by extreme oil dependence, combined with underinvestment, disruptions to Sudan’s export infrastructure, and governance gaps. According to the report, public spending averages 35% of GDP but is skewed toward administration, security, and rule of law, while health, education, and social protection remain severely underfunded. Salary arrears are widespread, and average public wages have collapsed in real terms.

“The PFR provides a timely and actionable roadmap for restoring economic stability in South Sudan. As a government, we are committed to taking immediate steps by accelerating the implementation of Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms and strengthening budget discipline. These reforms are essential to rebuild trust, stabilize our economy, and deliver basic services to our people,” said Honorable Benjamin Ayali Koyongwa, Undersecretary of Planning in the Ministry of Finance, Republic of South Sudan.

The PFR recommends the government take action to help stabilize inflation, strengthen the exchange rate, rebuild trust with partners, and open the door for deeper reforms, including: Committing to transferring all oil revenues into the National Revenue Fund and publishing quarterly oil data to rebuild confidence in resource management; Prioritizing monthly salary payments to stabilize public administration and frontline service delivery; Publishing budget execution reports, annual financial statements, and the full list of capital projects to strengthen transparency and accountability; Refraining from entering any new non-concessional or ‑oil-backed‑ borrowing agreements that jeopardize future revenues; Following procurement rules for crude oil sales and ensure Parliamentary oversight for all prepayment arrangements.

“South Sudan stands at a pivotal moment – climate change is no longer a distant threat, it is a daily reality, reshaping the country’s economy and communities. However, by improving public financial management, prioritizing climate-smart policies and investments, strengthening institutions, and protecting essential services, South Sudan can place itself on a more resilient and sustainable development path,” said Charles Undeland, World Bank Group Country Manager for South Sudan. “The World Bank Group stands ready to continue supporting the government in these critical steps,” he added.

The CCDR underscores that South Sudan’s natural wealth is in its fertile land, water systems, and renewable energy potential which can be engines of growth. The report highlights inclusive, climate-informed growth as a key pathway to greater resilience for South Sudan. It identifies five priorities to address the climate impact in South Sudan:

  • Strengthen flood management, including early warning systems, community‑led preparedness, and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure.
  • Invest in climate‑resilient agriculture and livestock systems, including improved seeds, sustainable grazing systems, and better access to water.
  • Scale up off‑grid renewable energy solutions, essential for resilience, health services, education, and economic diversification.
  • Accelerate governance and public financial management reforms to direct more resources toward climate‑smart investments.
  • Enable responsible, sustainable use of natural capital especially forests, fisheries, and wildlife to support rural livelihoods and expand economic opportunities.

The World Bank Group Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) are a core tool for integrating climate and development. CCDRs assist countries in identifying and prioritizing actions that address greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation needs in ways that align with broader development objectives. These reports provide data, research, cost assessments, and suggest priority actions to facilitate a low-carbon, resilient transition. They are intended to guide governments, the public, private sector, and partners by feeding into the World Bank’s diagnostics and operations to enhance funding for effective climate action.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

Contacts
Addis Ababa: Gelila Woodeneh, (+251) 911 50 1196, gwoodeneh@worldbank.org
Juba: Lomoro A. John Sindani, (+211) 925 472 380, lsindani@worldbankgroup.org

The post Narrow Path to Recovery: Finding a Climate-Smart Pathway and Stabilizing South Sudan’s Economy appeared first on African Media Agency.

Travel & Tourism

Zimbabwe Tourism Investment Forum

Maravi Post Reporter
 

Zimbabwe Tourism Investment Forum

September 10, 2025
The Zimbabwe Tourism Investment Forum kicked off today at Golden Peacock in Mutare as a precursor to the Sanganai/Hlanganani Kumbanayi Tourism Expo 2025, running under the theme “Unlocking Tourism Investment Opportunities for Local Economic Development.” In her keynote address, delivered by the Deputy Minister Hon Tongai M. Mnangagwa, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon. Barbara Rwodzi emphasized tourism as a catalyst for economic diversification, provincial empowerment and national transformation towards Vision 2030.
The event also graced by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs & Devolution Hon. Misheck Mugadza brought together Government Leaders, Investors and Industry Experts to discuss tourism funding, the development of Provincial Tourism Master Plans, Branding and Public-Private Partnerships. The forum reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to attracting investment and unlocking opportunities in Manicaland and beyond.

#Sanganai/HlangananiKumbanayiTourismExpo
#TourismInvestmentForum
#ExperienceZimbabwe
#ZimBho👍

Lifestyle, Regional

AfDB approves Malawi’s economic strategy

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Akinwunmi Adesina
Akinwunmi Adesina, President, AfDB

The African Development Bank has approved its Country Strategy Paper for Malawi for 2018-2022 to boost economic diversification, reduce dependency on rain-fed agriculture and build resilience for growth in the southern African nation. The Country Strategy Paper will guide the African Development Bank’s operations in Malawi with regards to its financial, technical and knowledge assistance to the country

It will seek to ameliorate Malawi’s low levels of industrialization, infrastructure gaps in energy, lack of diversification, limited sources of export revenue and low financial intermediation.

The new five-year plan builds on the Bank’s previous Malawi Country Strategy Paper 2013 – 2017 and will advance corporate strategies and the country’s most pressing development needs detailed in Malawi’s Growth and Development Strategy III. The strategic blueprint is articulated around two main strategic pillars focused on further development of the country’s energy, transport, agriculture and water sectors.

The first pillar proposes investments in infrastructure development, while the second seeks to advance investments in economic transformation projects and programs. Through these pillars, the Bank will aim to strengthen the foundations for private sector development by unlocking private and public investment, promote diversification, build economic resilience to reduce poverty and address rising income inequalities across gender. Nigeria, Namibia to explore vast opportunities in agric., trade—President Buhari Subdued agricultural output and increased maize import caused by two consecutive years of drought was responsible for the 2016 slump in economic growth to 2.7 percent. Malawi’s economic growth however rebounded to 5.1 percent in 2017 owing to a recovery in agricultural production.

The Bank’s interventions will thus build on ongoing positive developments in the domestic environment, driving economic transformation and small industry to support diversification and (decent and formal) job creation. Designed to reduce fragility and address issues of economic, social and climate resilience, the new Country Strategy Paper gives greater attention to the specific challenges Malawi is facing as a small landlocked country, with a growing population that currently doubles every 22 years. The Bank’s plans will also support key water basins such as Songwe River and Lake Malawi.

The Country Strategy Paper was developed through consultations with the Government of Malawi, the private sector, civil society and other development partners. Based on these successful engagements, the Government has expressed greater Bank participation in its knowledge-management, transportation, macro-economic and policy reforms agenda. The impact of two upcoming events on the country’s macro-economic outlook – the 2018 Population and Housing Census and 2019 Presidential and Parliamentary elections – have also been factored into the design of the country strategy

The Malawi Country Strategy Paper 2018-2022 aligns with the Bank’s Human Capital, Agricultural Transformation in Africa, Industrialization for Africa and Jobs for Youth in Africa strategies. It also operationalizes the Bank’s High 5 priorities. As at October 2018, the Bank’s active portfolio in Malawi covered 15 operations totaling slightly over US$308 million.

Source:Originally Posted Here