As Britain Announced 417m Support

As part of a five day tour of East Africa, Mr. Douglas Alexander, International development Secretary yesterday of Tanzania announced that the United Kingdom’s has double its support and contribution of 417 million to the African Development Fund over the next three years.

This backing said to be for African economic growth and social development is part of the African Development Bank group which gives grants and long term, interest – free loans to poor African countries to help them fight poverty and increase economic growth.

According to a press release from the British High Commission, the extra money will help the fund work over the next three years with 40 African countries to build better infrastructure including improved water and sanitation and new energy projects.

The funds is also anticipated to help in strengthening economic and regional links between African nations and put more money into fragile states like the DRC and Sierra Leone that have recently come out of conflict.

“This is the biggest contribution that the UK has made to the African Development fund. It demonstrates our commitment to help built African institutions, our confidence in the reform process being undertaken by the African Development Bank, and our belief that the fund can effectively support development in Africa’s poorest countries”, said Mr. Douglas.

He added that, “At Gleneagles in 2006, we made a promise to double aid to Africa by 2010 and to building African institutions, and today’s announcement shows our clear commitment to honour this pledge. Countries like Tanzania will benefit from the increase in funding, both for projects in Tanzania and through closer regional integration.

Mr. Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank applauded the contributing leadership shown by the United Kingdom in its support to Africa and in implementing the commitments made by the G8 at Gleneagls and repeated at Heiligendamm.

“I vote the confidence shown in the bank as an African institution. I know this is based on an expectation of improved performance by the bank”, he said, adding that the bank is changing into an organisation which is dynamic, flexible, and able to respond better to the diverse needs of African countries.