Kigali, Rwanda — A high-level dialogue on IFAD14 convened today, bringing together ministers of agriculture and finance from East and Southern Africa alongside IFAD Vice-President Gérardine Mukeshimana. Co-hosted with the Government of Rwanda, the discussions centered on how “Financing the First Mile” can accelerate Africa’s growth, create jobs, and strengthen resilience, ensuring that rural communities remain at the heart of sustainable development.
The discussion explored how limited concessional finance can unlock greater investment while fostering economic opportunity and stability across the region. Unlocking this potential begins at the first mile of food systems, where small-scale farmers, rural enterprises and local markets drive rural economies, yet continue to face significant investment gaps.
The dialogue underscored the strong commitment of East and Southern African Ministers to advancing rural transformation and supporting a successful IFAD14 replenishment, recognizing its importance in scaling impact for rural communities across the continent.
Africa is at the core of IFAD’s work, with over 60% of IFAD’s ongoing investments, approximately US$5.5 billion, concentrated across the continent. And the results show what investment in rural people can achieve. Recent assessments show that IFAD investments increased incomes, production and market access by at least 34%.
IFAD14 aims to take this further, with a sharper focus on markets, rural employment and resilience, while using public finance to crowd in greater investment. IFAD’s financing model turns each US$1 of donor contributions into US$6 of investment in rural economies.
African countries have a major stake and an important voice in shaping the ambition of IFAD14. Strong regional leadership can help catalyse the investment needed to transform rural economies across the continent.
