France Development Agency (AFD) agreed to grant Ethiopia 18 million Euros in two separate agreements. The first agreement, a 10 million Euros grant, will be used for urban institutional and infrastructure development program (UIIDP), a program which is co-financed by the World Bank and the government of Ethiopia. The UIIDP is targeted at enhancing the capacity and performance of local urban governments.

The program will have its contribution in increasing sustainable urban infrastructure and services and in promoting local economic development in cities across Ethiopia. The second agreement, an eight million Euros grant, is for the Tendaho geothermal exploration project which is funded by the European Union. It aims to support Ethiopian economic growth by developing geothermal energy.

Since 1997, AFD has committed more than 525 M Euros in the country, specifically in the areas of urban development, renewable energy, private sector support, and job creation.

Source: Fana BC, Addis Standard and French Embassy in Addis Ababa