Latest news with #MalinneBlomberg
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia launches $24mln project to restore forests, revitalize rural economies
TUNIS: The Government of Tunisia, in partnership with the African Development Bank Group, has launched a flagship $24 million initiative to restore degraded forest landscapes and boost climate resilience in rural ecosystems. The Agroforestry and Degraded Forest Landscape Restoration Project (PARFD) was officially launched in Tunis. The project, estimated at $23.72 million (over 73 million Tunisian dinars), is being funded by the African Development Bank through the Climate Investment Funds' Strategic Climate Fund, which is contributing $17 million. The Tunisian Government is providing $6.06 million, while project beneficiaries contribute $660,000. The initiative aligns with Tunisia's national development priorities, including the 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy and the country's commitment to reducing carbon intensity by 45% by 2030. It is expected to generate nearly 4,500 green jobs across the governorates of Béja, Siliana, and Bizerte. 'This project marks a major milestone in Tunisia's efforts to tackle the complex challenges of climate change and promote sustainable development in rural areas,' said Mohamed Naoufel Ben Haha, Director General of Forests at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries. This project addresses the urgent need to protect natural resources through an integrated, value chain-based approach,' said Malinne Blomberg, African Development Bank Deputy Director General for North Africa and Country Manager for Tunisia. 'It targets both ecological restoration and the creation of sustainable economic and social opportunities for rural communities.' Key targets of the project include the restoration or stabilization of 33,200 hectares of land, including 2,450 hectares of private land under sub-projects focused on agroforestry, forestry, and the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants. Additionally, 42,000 people will receive training in sustainable land management practices. Over a 25-year horizon, the project is expected to enable sequestration of 32 million tonnes of carbon, significantly contributing to Tunisia's climate goals.
African Manager
26-04-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia launches $24 million project to restore forests and revitalize rural economies
The Government of Tunisia, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, has launched a flagship $24 million initiative to restore degraded forest landscapes and boost climate resilience in rural ecosystems. The Agroforestry and Degraded Forest Landscape Restoration Project (PARFD) was officially launched on April 23 in Tunis, the AfDB said in a statement on Friday. The project, estimated at $23.72 million (over 73 million Tunisian dinars), is being funded by the AfDB through the Climate Investment Funds' Strategic Climate Fund, which is contributing $17 million. The Tunisian Government is providing $6.06 million, while project beneficiaries contribute $660,000. The initiative aligns with Tunisia's national development priorities, including the 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy and the country's commitment to reducing carbon intensity by 45% by 2030. It is expected to generate nearly 4,500 green jobs across the governorates of Béja, Siliana, and Bizerte. 'This project marks a major milestone in Tunisia's efforts to tackle the complex challenges of climate change and promote sustainable development in rural areas,' said Mohamed Naoufel Ben Haha, Director General of Forests at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries. Measurable Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact 'This project addresses the urgent need to protect natural resources through an integrated, value chain-based approach,' said Malinne Blomberg, African Development Bank Deputy Director General for North Africa and Country Manager for Tunisia. 'It targets both ecological restoration and the creation of sustainable economic and social opportunities for rural communities.' Key targets of the project include the restoration or stabilization of 33,200 hectares of land, including 2,450 hectares of private land under sub-projects focused on agroforestry, forestry, and the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants. Additionally, 42,000 people will receive training in sustainable land management practices. Over a 25-year horizon, the project is expected to enable sequestration of 32 million tonnes of carbon, significantly contributing to Tunisia's climate goals. An Innovative Approach to Climate Resilience, Food and Water Security The project adopts an innovative public-private partnership model, engaging Tunisian farmers in the rehabilitation of private lands close to state-owned forests. This integrated approach combines ecological restoration with economic empowerment by developing sustainable value chains for high-value crops. By integrating sustainable agroforestry and forestry practices into agricultural systems, the project will support greenhouse gas emission reductions, bolster food and water security, and improve household livelihoods in some of Tunisia's most vulnerable communities. It is also expected to strengthen Tunisia's carbon footprint and improve the adaptive capacity of communities to the impacts of climate change, according to the statement.
African Manager
27-03-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Launch of the CAP Emploi program, with 120,000 jobs on offer.
The CAP Emploi program, a results-based financing initiative aimed at transforming Tunisia's employment landscape, was officially launched in Tunis during a high-level workshop. The event brought together public and private stakeholders from the entrepreneurship ecosystem, as well as employment and vocational training sectors. Led by the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the National Agency for Employment and Self-Employment (ANETI), and the Tunisian Solidarity Bank (BTS BANK), this strategic program seeks to provide an integrated solution to youth unemployment. It combines training, entrepreneurship support, access to financing, and measures to promote formalization and professional integration, as detailed on the AfDB's official website. The African Development Bank is backing CAP Emploi with €90 million in funding, along with a $2.5 million grant from its Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative. This marks the first program in Tunisia financed by the AfDB through a results-based instrument, where disbursements occur only upon achieving predefined targets. This innovative approach aims to enhance performance-driven governance and results-oriented management. 'Together, we can build a future where employment is not a constraint, but an opportunity for all,' Hatem Dahman, Director General of ANETI, stated. Malinne Blomberg, AfDB's Country Manager for Tunisia and Deputy Director General for North Africa, emphasized: 'CAP Emploi aims to unlock the potential of thousands of entrepreneurs, particularly women. The AFAWA grant will help cover BTS BANK's operational costs, easing access to financing.' Tarek Bouhlel, Director General of African Cooperation at the Ministry of Economy and Planning, highlighted: 'This program reflects our vision of a Tunisia where every citizen can actively contribute to national economic development. CAP Emploi aligns with the Ministry's Three-Year Development Plan (2023-2025) and the Sectoral Plan for Employment and Vocational Training, offering a concrete response to structural labor market challenges.' Three Core Pillars of CAP Emploi Short-term training programs tailored to labor market needs, ensuring direct employment through partnerships with businesses. Entrepreneurship support, providing integrated technical assistance and financing—including zero-interest loans via BTS BANK—while incentivizing formalization under self-entrepreneur status. Institutional support to advance strategic reforms in employment, entrepreneurship, and micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) development. The program is projected to create 76,600 direct jobs and 42,300 indirect jobs, significantly improving living conditions for a large segment of Tunisia's population. The launch workshop, attended by over 60 participants, marked the start of the implementation phase. It also introduced AfDB's results-based financing mechanism—a first in Tunisia—while strengthening implementing agencies' capacity for swift and coordinated execution.
