The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the OPEC Fund for International Development have intensified efforts to strengthen environmental and social safeguards in development projects across Africa.
The initiative brought together more than 50 representatives from African countries and development finance institutions for a three-day capacity-building workshop in Vienna, according to a statement issued by the AfDB on Friday.
The workshop was organised by the AfDB, OPEC Fund and Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) as part of the second phase of the AfDB/OPEC Fund Environmental and Social Capacity Building Initiative, launched in June 2025.
Participants included regulatory officials from Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Senegal and Uganda, alongside representatives of multilateral and development finance institutions and environmental consultancies.
The AfDB said the discussions focused on key environmental and social issues, including land acquisition and resettlement, biodiversity conservation, social inclusion, gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Participants also examined cultural heritage, occupational and community health and safety, as well as the monitoring of environmental and social management plans.
OPEC Fund Vice-President for Strategy, Musab Alomar, said strong safeguards were essential to achieving sustainable and inclusive development.
“Environmental and social safeguards do not sit on the sidelines of development; they are integral to making development more sustainable, inclusive and equitable,” Alomar said.
He added that maintaining strong environmental and social standards in financed projects was a shared responsibility and a key component of effective development.
Similarly, Maman-Sani Issa, AfDB Director for Environmental and Social Safeguards and Compliance, said the initiative would enable participating countries to exchange experiences and strengthen their capacity.
He said the programme was designed to provide member countries with the knowledge and practical skills needed to integrate environmental and social considerations into project design and implementation.
Issa added that stronger national systems would support the sustainable use and protection of natural and human capital while improving the long-term impact of development projects financed by the bank.
The NCEA also led discussions on financing and monitoring environmental and social management plans, with emphasis on cooperation between financial institutions and national regulators.
The next phase of the initiative is expected to feature tailored national training aimed at addressing country-specific challenges and further strengthening environmental and social safeguard systems.
