The African Development Bank (AfDB) has earmarked $50 million for women business projects in the eastern Africa region.

This was revealed this week by the regional director of the continental bank during his visit to the East African Community (EAC) and affiliated bodies in Arusha.

Mr Cheptoo Amos Kipronoh who heads AfDB operations in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Seychelles said this was part of a wider support to the region.

“Some $50 million have been earmarked to support women in business,” he said during his visit to the East African Business Council (EABC) head offices.

Mr Kipronoh added that the continental bank had also granted $900,000 to the EAC secretariat for the fight against Covid-19 epidemic.

Mr Kipronoh commended Tanzania for ratifying the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and the EAC Protocol on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures.

“These shall boost intra-African trade, food safety and agribusiness in the EAC bloc,” he said.

He further elaborated that AfCFTA’s 1.2-billion market offers a pathway for economic recovery and resilience amid the raging Covid-19.

On his part, EABC executive director John Bosco said upgraded roads and other transport structures in the region have lowered the cost of doing business.

Infrastructure development also has a spillover effects on trade and investments by facilitating the movement of people and goods.

“Infrastructure supports job creation and creates new business
opportunities such as cross border markets,” he pointed out

During the meeting AfDB and EABC agreed to amplify the socio-economic role of the private sector under the EAC Regional Integration Strategy programme

These are to be undertaken under the African Investment Forum, Elimination of Non- Tariff Barriers, Financial Integration, AfCFTA, Climate Change, 50 Million Women Speak project and Trade Finance.