Afreximbank, Others Launch $1.5bn Initiative to Boost Food Security

The Executive Committee of the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program, a multi-donor, inter-regional program have launched a $1.5 billion Food Security Program to address the issues of food insecurity in the Arab and African regions amidst the ongoing global food security crisis.

The AATB Program is a multi-donor, multi-country, and multi-organisations program supported by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Islamic Development Bank, The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), The Islamic Corporation for The Development of The Private Sector (ICD), and The OPEC Fund for International Development.

Threats of food insecurity is a critical challenge facing the world today and continues to be a top priority on the international development agenda.
The hybrid launch event, which took place at the headquarters of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Cairo, was attended by the various partners of the AATB program as well as top-tier regional and local media.

Members of the Executive Committee addressed the gathering and highlighted the relevance of the Food Security Program to their member countries.
By emphasising its special interest in the food sector, AATB aims to leverage its expertise, resources, and partnerships to implement targeted engagements that address the specific challenges faced by member countries.

The Food Security Program was developed around the four pillars of the AATB Program, namely trade, investment, insurance and infrastructure.
In addition, the program incorporates a fifth element, which is capacity development and technical assistance, serving as a cross-cutting theme and an enabling factor.

As part of the program, funded and unfunded financial transactions related to food security would be provided, alongside capacity development and technical assistance services.
The primary aim of the program in the short term is to address the immediate food security requirements of member countries, with a specific focus on ensuring the resources for a consistent and reliable supply of essential food commodities.

The objective also recognises the urgency of meeting the immediate needs of populations facing food insecurity.
Additionally, by attracting investments, upgrading infrastructure, optimising value chains, and fostering cooperation, the program aims at building resilient and sustainable food systems that ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of nutritious food for all.

The measures would contribute to long-term food security and support the overall socio-economic development of the region.
The Food Security Program is a key focus of AATB, reflecting its commitment to addressing the evolving priorities of member countries in crucial sectors such as health and food security for sustainable development.
By prioritising the food sector, AATB recognises its importance for human well-being, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and interconnected development.
Through this Program and associated initiatives, AATB aims to contribute to achieving the SDGs and promoting inclusive economic development among member countries.

The Program aims to promote and increase trade and investment flows between African and Arab OIC Member Countries; provide and support trade finance and export credit insurance and enhance existing capacity-building tools relating to trade. The Program specifically focuses on supporting the key sectors of agriculture and related industries including textiles; the health industry including pharmaceuticals; infrastructure and transport; and petrochemicals, construction material, and technology.