AfDB, OPEC strengthen environmental, social safeguards in Africa

African Development Bank Group and OPEC Fund have strengthened efforts to improve environmental and social safeguards in development projects across Africa. According to a statement by the AfDB on Friday, more than 50 representatives from African countries and development finance institutions participated in a three-day capacity-building workshop in Vienna.

“The workshop was organised by the AfDB, OPEC Fund and Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA). It marked 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, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Senegal and Uganda.

“They also included representatives of several multilateral and development finance institutions and environmental consultancies,” it stated. The AfDB said discussions focused on land acquisition and resettlement, biodiversity, social inclusion, gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. It said participants also examined cultural heritage, occupational and community health and safety, and monitoring of environmental and social management plans.

Musab Alomar, OPEC Fund vice-president for strategy, said environmental and social safeguards were integral to 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,” Mr Alomar said.

He said ensuring strong environmental and social standards in financed projects was a shared responsibility and a cornerstone of effective development. Maman-Sani Issa, AfDB director for environmental and social safeguards and compliance, said the initiative provided opportunities for countries to exchange experiences.

“The objective is to equip our regional member countries with the knowledge and practical skills required to integrate environmental and social considerations into project design and implementation,” Mr Issa said.

He said stronger country systems would improve sustainable use and preservation of natural and human capital across member countries. Mr Issa added that stronger systems would ultimately enhance the sustainability and development impact of projects supported by the bank.

The workshop also examined approaches to financing and monitoring environmental and social management plans.

The NCEA led discussions on funding monitoring activities and strengthening cooperation between financial institutions and national regulators. Dennis van Peppen, NCEA director, highlighted the workshop’s value for peer learning and dialogue on strengthening environmental and social country systems. The initiative builds on AfDB environmental and social country system assessments conducted in several African countries.

The next phase is expected to include tailored national-level training addressing country-specific challenges and further strengthening environmental and social safeguard systems. NAN