WB Commits $512.5m for Adaptive Safety Net

Dec 5 , 2020


The World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) and the Ministry of Finance have signed an agreement for 512.5 million dollars for the implementation of the Strengthen Ethiopia's Adaptive Safety Net Project.  Ahmed Shide, minister of Finance, and Ousmane Dione, World Bank Group Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan, signed the agreement last week. The financing is expected to support the country's Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and locust emergency response efforts. The majority of the funds, 312.5 million dollars, has been allotted as a grant, while the remaining has been pledged as a loan. A portion of the funding, 12.5 million dollars, was sourced from the Bank's special Window for Crisis Response. The initiative aims to contribute to the government's Productive Safety Net Programme by creating technology-based delivery systems, enhancing the shock responsive elements of the Productive Safety Net Programme, and increasing geographical coverage. The Programme will also work on long-term efforts to fight livelihood challenges and advance the government's early childhood development agenda. The World Bank has been supporting the Productive Safety Net Programme for the past 15 years, and the government has pledged to contribute a further 600 million dollars to the Programme over the coming five years.


Radar

ARCANE MARKERS

Hamere Berhan' at the old post office prints books using ancient paper made from animal skin called 'Birana'.  It is part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church which has had scribes for close to two millennia. The shortage of paper is evident with close to 10 companies operating in the paper conversion industry and a single paper mill in the country. Local players have seen their market share drop over the years and are looking to regain it. ...


Radar

GREEN SHIFT

A palm tree is moved to a new location for replanting around Meskel square. The global effort to battle man-made climate change has gained steam over the last few years. African countries have shifted gears in trying to unlock climate financing from the global north. With debt-to-GDP ratios averaging around 62pc continent-wide, many countries are utilizing the climate narrative to get debt structuring. This was one of the appeals of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia when he addressed the AU summit...


Radar

STRUCTURAL MAKEOVER

The area around Ambassador, famous for its souvenir shops, is getting demolished for real estate development. The Addis Abeba City Administration has ramped up efforts to remodel the city's architecture over the last few months. The capital was established by Emperor Menelik 137 years ago. He also introduced the first telephone, car, hotel, and hospital to the country. A construction project headed by the mega projects office to commemorate his victory over the Italians at Adwa is 70pc complete...