Switzerland promises millions to help fight poverty and climate change in Africa
Residents of a camp for the displaced on the outskirts of Baidoa, Somalia, October 29, 2022.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Switzerland is to contribute CHF212 million ($235 million) to the African Development Fund (ADF) to help countries in Africa fight poverty and climate change. It will also give CHF27.5 million towards the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/sb
Español
es
Suiza promete millones para luchar contra la pobreza y el cambio climático en África
“The current global crises are hitting the poorest African countries particularly hard. Without international support, there is a threat of further setbacks,” the government saidExternal link in a statement on Wednesday.
Switzerland promises to contribute CHF212 million towards the African Development Bank (AfDB) fund, which supports the 37 poorest African countries. Around CHF15 million of the funds will go towards a newly created climate initiative.
Over the next two years the AfDB says it will invest $8.8 billion to help countries improve economic conditions, develop the private sector, address the impact of climate change, and support fragile and conflict-affected countries.
Switzerland announced on Wednesday that it would also contribute CHF27.5 million to the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI). Thanks to this initiative, which has been in place since 2005, over-indebted countries do not have to repay their AfDB loans if they implement certain reforms.
“Switzerland’s contribution sends an important signal of solidarity with Africa’s poorest countries and so underlines the continent’s importance to Switzerland in terms of its development policy, foreign policy and foreign economic interests,” the government declared.
Popular Stories
More
Foreign Affairs
How a top Swiss university is screening Chinese students
Two decades after tsunami, Swiss tourists flock to Southeast Asia
This content was published on
Twenty years after a catastrophic tsunami in Southeast Asia, the region is again a top destination for Swiss, including at Christmas.
Swiss forests better equipped for storms 25 years after Lothar
This content was published on
Twenty-five years after Hurricane Lothar wreaked havoc in Switzerland, the country’s forests are now better prepared, experts say.
Media: Swiss medical services done abroad are billed at Swiss rates
This content was published on
In Switzerland, some medical services carried out abroad are still billed at Swiss rates, despite costing less, RTS reports.
This content was published on
Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national snowboard cross team, has died in an avalanche in Arosa. She was 26 years old.
This content was published on
Several Swiss films exceeded the 100,000 admissions mark worldwide in 2024 and received widespread praise at international film festivals.
Swiss Alpine resorts covered in white gold for Christmas
This content was published on
Many areas at low altitudes in Switzerland are enjoying a blanket of snow. In the mountains, intense precipitation has delighted skiers.
SWISS makes emergency landing in Austria after smoke in cockpit
This content was published on
Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) made an emergency landing of an Airbus in Graz, Austria on Monday evening after engine problems.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
How the war in Ukraine is fuelling the next global food crisis
This content was published on
The war has disrupted the global supply of food, fuel, and fertilisers. This has made a dire situation worse for millions of people across Africa.
Switzerland to fund new projects along migration route in Africa
This content was published on
The government has announced some CHF22 million in funding for projects to protect youth migrants in north and west Africa, and to deter them from making dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean.
This content was published on
Swiss researchers have created a risk map of sub-Saharan Africa which they hope can help anticipate the spread of disease outbreaks.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.