eConsultant2: Rwanda maize supply chain development (local consultant)

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World bank Group intends to implement an advisory services project in Rwanda to support Bralirwa (subsidiary of Heineken) reduce its dependence on imported raw materials by increasing the supply of maize procured from local smallholder farmers.

IFC (in cooperation with European Cooperative for Rural Development (EUCORD) who are engaged by Heineken and the NL Government at a global level under the CREATE PPP) plans to provide the following advisory services: (1) Improving the professionalism of farmer organisations; and (2) Improving the productivity of over 5,000 smallholder farmers in Eastern Rwanda. As part of the project at least ten on-farm pilots and demonstrations of low-cost water management and irrigation technology will be established.

See full tender here: # 1188809 Rwanda maize supply chain development, agricultural water and irrigation specialist

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Renewed support for infrastructure in developing countries

The Netherlands has renewed its system of financial support for major infrastructure projects in developing countries. “The building and construction of, for example, ports, irrigation systems and coastal protection are crucial to economic development and improve the lives of the population. The new DRIVE program plays an important and innovative way in this,” says Minister Ploumen for Foreign Trade and Development.

It is expected that over the coming years investments in infrastructure will increase enormously in Africa. Reports speak of a ‘boom’ more than $ 100 billion in investments annually over a long period. DRIVE stands for Development and Related Infrastructure Investment Vehicle, and is the successor of the Program for Development-related Infrastructure in Developing Countries (ORIO).

Continue reading the press release (in Dutch).

More information in English at the RVO Website.

Senegal – Urban Water and Sanitation Project

The World Bank Board of Directors has approved the Senegal Urban Water and Sanitation Project, worth a total of $70 million and benefiting 590,000 people.

The proposed Project Development Objective (PDO)Senegal-Woman-at-Well-800 is to improve access to water and sanitation services in selected urban areas in a financially sustainable manner. This goal is to be achieved through the following three components:

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Interview with Paul Polman

Inspirational speaker, great CEO and a Dutch citizen who received the second annual Holland on the Hill Heineken Award on May 15, 2015, for his entrepreneurial endeavors in both the Netherlands and the United States.

Below he answers questions about the upcoming World Paul PolmanEconomic Forum on Africa, taking place in Cape Town on 4th and 5th June.

Click here

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Tesla’s low-cost renewable battery could revolutionise Africa’s energy supply

Makhtar Diop (  @Diop_WB  ) World Bank Vice President  Africa recently posted this article on his twitter feed and we enjoyed it so much we wanted to share it as well!

Batteries that can store renewable energy for longer and at half the current cost have been hailed as an energy revolution that could transform Africa’s power supply.

Minister Ploumen on stage at Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day

Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, took to the stage during the Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day Concert in Washington DC. The concert took place on Saturday, April 18, 2015, during the Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group. On stage, Minister Ploumen made a new commitment to provide clean drinking water and toilets for those who currently lack access. Watch her speak to the crowd in Washington.

Tender: Agribusiness specialist livestock – Kenya

The World Bank Group is seeking an Agribusiness Specialist to support a newly created Livestock project. The project focuses on targeted regulatory and institutional reform that support improved regulatory good practice, improved institutional efficiencies and better access to markets and investment for stakeholders in the livestock value chain (primarily dairy and poultry).

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SM15 Preview: Harnessing Urbanization for Growth and Shared Prosperity in Africa

Date: Friday, April 17, 2015
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | 15:00 – 16:30 GMT or convert time)
Location: World Bank Headquarters, JB1-080 & Online

Follow the event on Twitter with #AfricaGrowthShare

Africa has grown more rapidly than any other region in the world with an additional 450 million people expected to move to Africa’s cities between 2010 and 2040. With the potential to grow, attract investments, be innovative and create more jobs, how can cities turn this rapid urbanization into a win-win?

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Think tank event: CSIS – Africa’s Changing Energy Landscape

Note: This event and related book launch (available for download here) could be of particular interest to Dutch companies considering participation in the PSLO Energy Mission on May 4 – 7.

The CSIS Africa Program and the CSIS Energy and National Security Program invite you to a discussion on:

Africa’s Changing Energy Landscape

Monday, April 20, 2015, 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
2nd Floor Conference Room
Center for Strategic and International Studies
1616 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20036

New oil and gas discoveries across Africa have raised hopes among governments and citizens alike that major investments to spur economic growth and development are the horizon. But the recent collapse in oil prices and broader unease around the energy market leave the timetable for capitalizing on these new discoveries uncertain. Join us for a pair of panel discussions on what these discoveries mean for Africa’s energy landscape and what role renewable energy sources can play in broader efforts to increase energy access and support development across the continent. The conference will serve as the launch of the new CSIS report, “Africa’s New Energy Producers: Making the Most of Emerging Opportunities.”
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SM15 Preview: Building African Participation in Global Value Chains

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2015
Time: 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | 16:30 – 18:00 GMT or convert time)
Location: World Bank Headquarters, JB1-080 & Online

Follow the event on Twitter by using #AfricaGrowthShare & #AfricaInvestor

African economies are experiencing a range of green-houseunprecedented challenges to their growth, competitiveness and opportunities for investment. Led by Africa Investor CEO Hubert Danso, a panel of global experts will explore how African companies and banks can work with governments, the World Bank and international companies to attract investment and mobilize capital in order to build African brands capable of creating jobs and increasing the continent’s role and influence on the global economic stage.

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