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Tag: AfDB

  • AfDB and Aerosense Inc sign Letter of Intent (LOI) to advance cooperation and projects in drone technology in Africa

    AfDB and Aerosense Inc sign Letter of Intent (LOI) to advance cooperation and projects in drone technology in Africa

    The African Development Bank and Aerosense Inc., a leading Japanese company in drone manufacturing, have signed an agreement to advance cooperation and projects in drone technology in Africa.

    Representatives of both institutions signed a Letter of Intent on Thursday 21 August, on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama, Japan. The agreement was signed by Mr. Solomon Quaynor, Vice President  for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization, AfDB and Mr. Kohtaro Sabe, President & CEO, Aerosense Inc.

    The agreement formalizes a relationship of mutual co-operation, assistance, information and knowledge sharing between the two institutions, exploring co-financing and deal opportunities and appropriate coordination of actions between them and their respective teams, specifically concerning the promotion of sustainable infrastructure solutions in Africa.

    Aerosense Inc.’s drone solution was selected through a call for proposals under the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Road Maintenance Program for Africa (SRMPA) in June 2025.

    Under the agreement, the Bank will facilitate coordination with the public sector, lead awareness-raising campaigns, support capacity building for local partners, and explore possible debt (and/or equity) financing support for projects related to the deployment of drone solutions.

    Aerosense Inc. on its part, would conduct demand studies for drone solution in target African markets, perform technical feasibility studies for the application of drone solution, considering local geographical conditions, and explore possible deployment opportunities upon positive feasibility study results.

    “The program is a bold response to Africa’s growing infrastructure challenges. By partnering with Aerosense, we will not only promote efficient road management but also consider promoting other unique solutions such as disaster management, river/flooding control, agricultural sensing, and medical equipment delivery,” Quaynor said.

    Mr. Sabe stated, “It is a great honour to serve the people in Africa with our Japanese technology for enhancing their quality of life. We are looking forward to collaborating with AfDB to build a better future together in a concrete manner”. 

  • AfDB: Bureau Appoints Review Panel, Recalls Authorization of Independent Panel

    AfDB: Bureau Appoints Review Panel, Recalls Authorization of Independent Panel

    The Bureau of the Boards Of Governors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has appointed a three member panel to review the Report of the Ethics Committee of the Boards of Directors relative to the allegations made by Whistle blowers against the President of the Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina.

    This was made known on Tuesday in a communique signed by the Chairperson of the Bureau of the Boards of Governors of the AfDB, Ms. Niale Kaba. The panel which will be chaired by Mrs. Mary Robinson, constitute a High-Level Panel of Independent Experts, individuals with unquestionable experience, high international reputation and professional integrity as stated in the communique.

    The communique reads: “The Bureau recalls its Communiqué issued on June 4th 2020 informing the general public of its decision to authorize an Independent Review of the Report of the Ethics Committee of the Boards of Directors relative to the allegations made by Whistle blowers against the President of the Bank Group.”

    “The Bureau agreed on the Terms of Reference for the Independent Review at its meetings of 18 June 2020 and 1st July 2020 and selected three persons namely, Mrs. Mary Robinson, Mr. Hassan B. Jallow and Mr. Leonard F. McCarthy to constitute a High-Level Panel of Independent Experts to conduct the said Review – individuals with unquestionable experience, high international reputation and professional integrity. The panel will be chaired by Mrs. Robinson.”

    The Bureau also reaffirms its trust and confidence in the panel and expressed its commitment in assisting the panel during the process. The Bureau also expects that the panel’s report is submitted within the next two to four weeks.