The East African Business Council (EABC), in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), is implementing a USD 1 million project to accelerate sustainable industrialization in East Africa. The project focuses on strengthening priority manufacturing value chains—edible oils, leather, and textiles—by enhancing industrial capacity, promoting public-private dialogue, and addressing trade and investment barriers. It aims to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP and expand market access within the EAC and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Over 1,500 industries, including SMEs, women, and youth-led businesses, will benefit from capacity building, policy advocacy, and inclusive growth initiatives guided by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. This initiative supports the AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033), particularly its goal to scale up and accelerate industrialization across Africa through the manufacturing sector, and aligns with the Bank’s “Integrate Africa” High 5 priority to enhance regional economic integration and industrial development.
About African Development Bank (AfDB)
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is a multilateral development finance institution established to contribute to the economic development and social progress of African countries. It aims to mobilize and allocate resources for investment in member countries and provides policy advice and technical assistance to support development. The AfDB's operational priorities, the "High 5s", are focused on key areas like energy, agriculture, industrialization, integration, and improving quality of life.
