For Africans, there is no battle against climate change without development

For Africans, there is no battle against climate change without development

World Bank Managing Director Abdessalam Bello insisted on Friday that African countries do not want the World Bank’s financing of climate change to be “at the expense of development”, during an interview with Agence France-Presse.

“We must be very clear,” insisted Mr. Bello, “none of the countries I represent denies the importance of global warming. But this cannot be done at the expense of development.”

Because, as the African representative points out, “how can you have an economic transition if you don’t have access to basic services, like electricity” when 600 million Africans still don’t have access to them?

Under these circumstances, the priority for African countries is to have a “more robust and efficient bank that retains its own identity for reconstruction and development,” while discussions on reforming institutions continue.

The first progress was made during the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, with the announcement that the World Bank’s financing capacity would be increased by $50 billion for the next ten years.

Insufficient to meet the challenges ahead, while the International Monetary Fund estimates financing needs at $1,000 billion annually to ensure the energy and climate transition in low-income and emerging countries.

– ‘Strong Support’ for Ajay Banga –

“These elements are very important to us. I come from a region and a country, Niger, that has had climate difficulties not recently but for several decades, to put it mildly. So we’ve been living with these problems and we know we need more resources to deal with them,” insisted Bello.

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The African representative also called for a “smooth transition” at the helm of the World Bank, as he steps in “at a very special moment”.

Incumbent President David Malpass should leave his place, perhaps at the beginning of May, to his successor, who should be the US candidate, Ajay Banga, who was born and raised in India and is the only candidate in the race.

Mr. Bello took the opportunity to commend the outgoing President for “a very good job at the helm of the World Bank.”

For his part, Mr. Banga “received strong support from the countries he visited (Côte d’Ivoire and Kenya, editor’s note) and had the opportunity to present to the governments I represent his vision and approach to development, particularly in Africa. Some also took a stand in favor of it,” said Mr. Bello.

“We believe his experience will be very important in helping the World Bank enhance private sector mobilization. During our discussion, he talked about very interesting practical solutions to enhance private sector commitment,” the official concluded.

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About the Author: Aldina Antunes

"Praticante de tv incurável. Estudioso da cultura pop. Pioneiro de viagens dedicado. Viciado em álcool. Jogador."

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