By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has given approval for disbursement of $116 million loan to Moroccan authorities, aiming to launch a comprehensive agriculture support programme, with a focus on empowering women and young people.
The approval on Monday by the Board of Directors of AfDB is also expected to generate sustainable economic opportunities for women and youth, boost food security, and strengthen the resilience of small-scale farming against climate change, AfDB said in a statement.
It will also facilitate the deployment of new agricultural production and service infrastructure, helping to anchor women in local value chains, strengthen their skills, and boost their productivity, statement added.
“Women who have the ambition to undertake and succeed in agriculture are our priority,” Achraf Tarsim, AfDB’s country manager for Morocco said.
The programme aligns perfectly with Morocco’s priorities and will support the implementation of the “Generation Green” strategy 2020-2030, Tarsim added.
For over half a century, the AfDB Group has mobilised nearly €15 billion to finance more than 150 projects and programmes across Morocco.
Its investments span key sectors such as transportation, social protection, water and sanitation, energy, agriculture, governance, and finance.