The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) yesterday signed five grants to the tune of $13 million for development projects in Zimbabwe and South Sudan.
Two regional and two national projects based in Zimbabwe, received a total of $10,8 million placing the total investment in Zimbabwe since 1992 at $26,4 million.
Out of the funds that were advanced to Zimbabwe, $7 million was channelled to Regional Integration and International Co-operation ministry and the Zimbabwe Capacity Development Programme.
The $2 million given to the ministry is expected to assist in improving development assistance and more successful implementation of regional integration protocols and the North-South corridor projects.
“This is the largest grant given to one country,” said ACBF executive secretary Frannie Léautier in a statement.
“As we build capacity across the continent, let us remember that the combination requires people and institutions that are efficient and effective. “ACBF will continue to support capacity development where it sees innovation, results and building individual skills that enable the development of effective policies and institutions that will long serve the future generations of Africa.”
Two locally-based universities, Women’s University in Africa and Africa University, received $3 million and $800 000 respectively from the regional initiative.
The funds are expected to enhance the tertiary institutions’ information communication technology networks and improve the teaching and learning environment.
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Turning to Sudan, the youngest state in the continent, Léautier said there was huge potential for the country to become a regional powerhouse if it was capacitated.
South Sudan received a grant of $2,25 million from ACBF aimed at strengthening macroeconomic and public financial management and fiduciary institutions.
“We realise that South Sudan has immense untapped potential to emerge as an economic powerhouse, given the oil deposits, crop production on the vast arable land covering 80% of the country, livestock, fishery and forestry, ministry” Léautier said.
The Zimbabwe-headquartered ACBF, which has been in business for over 20 years is an outcome of collaboration between African governments and the international donor community.
