Panel Discussion on Advancing Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Resilience, and Renewable Energy in Africa: Lessons from the Evaluations of AfDB Interventions.

Date : Wednesday, 5 June 2024,

Time: 10:00 – 12:00 GMT

Background: Addressing climate change, stimulating productive agriculture, and ensuring environmental sustainability are critical, interconnected areas of focus for Africa and the African Development Bank (AfDB or “the Bank”). The AfDB's "High 5s" priorities are strategic initiatives aimed at transforming Africa's development landscape. These include: 1) Light up and Power Africa, focusing on energy access; 2) Feed Africa, aimed at agricultural transformation; 3) Industrialize Africa, supporting industrial and economic development; 4) Integrate Africa, enhancing connectivity and intra-African trade; and 5) Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa, targeting health, education, and social inclusivity.

The Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) function of the AfDB has been contributing to the Bank’s work in these areas through a variety of topical independent evaluations, including: Evaluation of Mainstreaming Green Growth and Climate Change into the AfDB's Interventions (2008-2018); Evaluation of the AfDB’s Support for Agricultural Value Chains Development; Impact evaluation of irrigation development in Malawi; Evaluation of the AfDB’s Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation (TAAT) Program, Phase I (2018-2021); Evaluation of Agricultural Water Management; and Evaluation of the AfDB’s Support for Renewable Energy (2012-2021). By assessing the Bank’s performance in these areas, exploring the factors that promoted or hampered the success of the Bank’s interventions, and offering valuable lessons and recommendations for further improvement, combined with strong stakeholder engagement during and after the evaluation process, these evaluations have been influential in shaping policy, strategic and operational decisions, and informing the design and implementation of new interventions.

Objectives of the Panel Discussion: This panel aims to highlight the findings, lessons, and recommendations from IDEV's evaluations, and how they informed subsequent AfDB policies, strategies, and operations, offering a platform to discuss how these insights can shape future strategies for agricultural transformation, green growth, climate resilience and renewable energy development in Africa. The discussion will explore the successes, challenges, lessons and pathways to enhance the effectiveness, sustainability, and impact of agricultural, renewable energy, green growth and climate change initiatives in different contexts. Outcome: The panel aims to culminate in critical takeaways for African countries, enhancing the support to Agriculture & Agro-industry, Climate Change & Green Growth, and Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in a way that aligns with continental and global sustainability goals and addresses the unique challenges and opportunities in Africa.

Link to register

https://afdb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K9tZ7pC4SOKRCx7N9DwVvQ