Sub-saharan Africa to benefit from EU green plan 5bn

Sub-saharan Africa will benefit to the tune of five billion euros from EU Green Economy Recovery Plan, an EU official has said. Leonard Mizzi, head of unit, Directorate-general for International Cooperation and Development, European Commission made this known at the ongoing 2020 virtual summit of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) hosted by Rwanda.

Speaking at a panel discussion tagged: “The key role of SMES in serving urban food markets”, Mizzi said the fund set aside for sub-saharan Africa was part of the EU’S seven-year green plan from 2021 to 2027.

The head of unit, who also specialises in rural development, food security and nutrition, said that the fund would be used to address water, health, sanitation and social economy.

“In a team of European context, which is the full firepower of the European Commission, all EU member states, the EU Investment Bank (EIB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), member states mobilised 11 billion euros; European Commission mobilised 14 billion euros; EIB mobilised 14.5 billion euros; and EBRD mobilised 4 billion euros.

“Sub-saharan Africa will benefit around five billion euros. The money is a composite amount for emergency, humanitarian with a focus on saving lives but it was also made to address water, health, sanitation and social economy.”

Mizzi, however, said that the region must demonstrate economic recovery strategies in line with the EU’S green recovery plan to access the fund targeted at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).

He said that sub-saharan nations should focus on developing local and regional markets as well as bridging infrastructure gaps.

Mizzi said that the region should also ensure harmonised standards of products and trade operation, identify opportunities for SMES, and address issues of food fortification in the region.

“The EU since April is providing fiscal space through budget support and budget support modalities.

“We inject fiscal space so that African countries mobilise support which would also include loans for local companies and SMES, and also support agrofood companies,” Mizzi said.

He said that the ACFTA was a continental-driven agenda as the EU would want high quality products for its trade partners including basic food safety and standards setting.

“Figures show Europe remains an important market and we will like to be a key partner in the international trade.

“The key aspect of Covid-19 shows that we need to focus more on local and regional markets.

“You can’t expect good flow of goods from countries to subSaharan or within the region if you have problems around road logistics, cargo logistics and port logistics. This is key, because Africa’s urban population cannot support major infrastructure gaps if it is not addressed.”

Mizzi emphasised the need for harmonised standards at all agricultural value chains and trade sectors in the continent. NAN