
The African Development Bank will establish a new country office in Zimbabwe to strengthen its presence in the country.
The decision is in response to the Zimbabwean government’s February 2009 request to the bank “to take a lead role in assisting Zimbabwe on re-engagement with the international community,” according to an AfDB press release.
“As the premier African multilateral development institution, the Bank is well placed to take up this challenge, as well as provide knowledge and advisory services necessary for economic recovery and sustained development,” the press release adds.
Since March 2009, the bank has sent a mission to Harare to facilitate dialogue between the government and international bodies. The mission also coordinates AfDB’s capacity-building support from the Fragile States Facility and the African Water Facility.