São Paulo – The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) should grant loans and donations of US$ 66 million to stimulate the economic development of over 34 countries, most in Africa. The decision was made by the Opec Fund for International Development (Ofid) and the information was published in African news agency Panapress.
The money will be turned to projects in the sectors of agriculture, education, energy, transportation and water supply. Among the countries benefited are Mauritania, which is Arab, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Guinea, Uganda and Zambia.
Mauritania should receive US$ 11.93 million for generation of solar energy in Aftout Al-Ghargui region, to grant safe and accessible energy supply to 110,000 people who live in extremely poor areas. The country has a population of around three million people and half still depend on subsistence agriculture and livestock farming. The country, however, has iron ore reserves and the product represents 40% of exports.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo should receive US$ 5 million to develop rice culture, reduce poverty and strengthen food safety. The money will be turned to the creation of an irrigation network and construction of agricultural infrastructure. The idea is for 10 million people to be benefitted.
In Gambia, a loan of US$ 12 million will serve to modernise the Kotu electric power plant and guarantee to the population the supply of electricity. The measure should benefit 500,000 people. In Guinea, US$ 7 million will be turned to a water supply project to five cities to help improve the living conditions of 63,000 people. Infrastructure will be built for water supply and installation of water networks for families.
Uganda will receive resources for the recovery of roads and Zambia for construction of technical schools. According to Panapress, ever since its creation, Ofid has already granted US$ 14.1 billion to finance development in 132 countries worldwide, having as priority the poor.
*Translated by Mark Ament
