Connect with us
Anglostratits

Business

Rwanda Climate Finance Partnership Powers Innovative Climate Action

Published

2 years ago

on

Climate Finance

The Rwanda Climate Finance Partnership aims to facilitate public-private partnerships to scale-up climate finance and has been made possible by the country’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement with the International Monetary Fund

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, December 4, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The Rwanda Climate Finance Partnership, which was launched at the Paris Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, will further power innovative climate action thanks to additional contributions from the Government of Rwanda. The partnership is supported by Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union and Team Europe, the European Investment Bank (EIB) (EIB.org), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), German Cooperation via KfW Development Bank, and the Italian Cooperation system with the support of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP); and it complements existing partnerships, including the Rwandan-German Climate and Development Partnership and ongoing initiatives with the World Bank. The formal announcement was made on the sidelines of the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, UAE. 

The Rwanda Climate Finance Partnership aims to facilitate public-private partnerships to scale-up climate finance and has been made possible by the country’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement (https://apo-opa.co/4a1TvoD) with the International Monetary Fund. It is expected that the IMF will disburse an additional USD 48.5 million in budget support following the approval of Rwanda’s second review of the RSF arrangement by the IMF Executive Board in mid-December. To further demonstrate commitment to its RSF-supported climate agenda, the Government of Rwanda also announced two additional reform measures supported by the RSF, related to: (i) enhanced risk analysis of State-Owned Enterprises and Public-Private Partnerships that are vulnerable to climate change, and (ii) adopting a green taxonomy adapted to Rwanda’s NDC climate action plan.

The following partnership milestones were also shared at the COP28 side event today: The Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, will contribute USD 40 million to support Ireme Invest, the country’s private sector green investment facility.

The EIB and the Development Bank of Rwanda have signed a EUR 20 million loan and a technical assistance agreement to support Rwanda’s green transition through Ireme Invest

  • The EIB and the Development Bank of Rwanda have signed a EUR 20 million loan and a technical assistance agreement to support Rwanda’s green transition through Ireme Invest. The loan is the first tranche of an expected EUR 100 million financing package announced at the Paris Summit. The technical assistance will be provided under the EIB Greening Financial Systems programme, supporting the NDC Partnership and backed by the International Climate Initiative Fund and German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action. At COP28 the EIB is also outlining a new EUR 100 million agricultural climate finance partnership with Bank of Kigali to support smallholders and agri-business across Rwanda impacted by climate change.
  • AFD and Rwanda Development Bank have signed a EUR 20 million credit facility and a EUR 1 million technical assistance grant to scale up Ireme Invest. The first investments under the facility have already been undertaken in several sectors: green buildings and renewable energy. AFD has also signed a budget support of EUR 50 million and EUR 3 million technical assistance grant, announced at the Paris Summit, to advance green public financial management in Rwanda. AFD signed a memorandum of understanding with Bank of Kigali, whereby they agree to strengthen their cooperation in the area of climate finance and working on a climate line of credit of EUR 20 million with a technical assistance grant of EUR 1 million.
  • The Danish International Development Agency and the Rwanda Green Fund have signed a grant agreement of USD 5.27 million to support the Project Preparation Facility of Ireme Invest, which is powered by the Rwanda Green Fund.
  • CDP, Italy’s Financial Institution for International Development Cooperation, is advancing its partnership with the Government of Rwanda to provide financial support to green transition in the country, in the context of an overall strategy to scale up financial flows towards sustainable development and to counter climate change in Africa.

The Rwanda Climate Finance Partnership is a key pillar of Rwanda’s efforts to fund its ambitious NDC Climate Action Plan, and complements a number of existing public and private sector focused initiatives to enable Rwanda to respond to climate change:

  • Programmatic approach for Rwanda’s NDC investments: Three programmatic investment plans on: (i) Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), (ii) Sustainable Urbanization, with lead support of German Technical Cooperation (GIZ), and (iii) Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM), with the support from the World Bank, are currently under preparation. Additionally, the IFC will support the Government of Rwanda through the Rwanda Green Fund, to develop long-term investment plans for climate smart agriculture and sustainable urbanization, specifically focusing on increasing the role of the private sector in greening Rwanda’s economy.
  • Green Taxonomy: The Government of Rwanda announced the first phase of its green taxonomy to help catalyze private financing to green projects. Once finalized, the taxonomy will provide clear signals on which projects and activities are aligned with Rwanda’s climate goals. It will help direct private financial flows to the financing of those activities. The initiative is supported by Germany through GIZ, and it is strongly interlinked with Ireme Invest and the Boosting Green Finance, Investment and Trade (GreenFIT) partnership with the World Bank.
  • Rwanda’s NDC Facility, known as Intego, has developed a rich and promising pipeline of public climate adaptation and mitigation projects since its launch at COP27. The facility was capitalized by Germany through KfW with seed funding of EUR 46 million as part of the EUR 222 million Rwandan-German Climate and Development Partnership. The first call for proposals shows that financing needs and availability of project concepts go far beyond the seed funding and the Government of Rwanda is inviting development partners to join the initiative. Intego shall become a best practice example on how to facilitate access to public finance and to pool funding from various sources for climate projects.
  • Boosting Green Finance, Investment and Trade (GreenFIT): The World Bank has also partnered with the Government of Rwanda in the design of a new development policy operation (DPO) that encompasses a set of reforms to increase private sector participation in the Rwandan economy and improve resource mobilisation for climate resilience, with a value of USD 250 million over two years. Germany through KfW Development Bank has joined this effort and contributed not only to the provision of hands-on Technical Assistance for the design and implementation of the DPO’s actions, and is considering a financial contribution to the overall funding of the operation for the second year of the DPO.
  • The EU, as part of the Global Gateway initiative, is also providing budget support for an overall amount of EUR 59 million in grants, including EUR 6.5 million technical assistance, in support of Rwanda’s NDC targets with a specific focus on adaptation in agriculture, in addition to backing the EUR 20 million EIB financing to the Rwanda Development Bank and the Bank of Kigali EIB loan.
  • Finally, the Development Bank of Rwanda recently closed a RWF 30 billion (USD 24.8 million) sustainability-linked bond issuance, which was partially credit-enhanced via a World Bank lending operation, representing the first such issuance by a national development bank in the world.

The Rwanda Climate Finance Partnership, Rwandan-German Climate and Development Partnership, and ongoing initiatives with the World Bank and other partners, such as the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Sweden, demonstrate the power of collaboration to reshape the global climate finance architecture, including by moving beyond small-scale projects to significant long-term investments that leverage existing mechanisms to facilitate public-private partnerships and attract private sector investments.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Investment Bank (EIB).

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Energy

Investment, Fuel Security and Strategy to Take Center Stage Across Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Multi-Track Program

Published

1 day ago

on

March 27, 2026

By

Energy Capital

With strategic, technical and roundtable discussions, AOG 2026 strengthens its position as Angola’s premier platform for industry dialogue, investment and project development

LUANDA, Angola, March 27, 2026/APO Group/ –The Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference and Exhibition returns to Luanda this September as a bridge connecting global investors and project developers with Angolan projects and partners. At a time when global supply disruptions and geopolitics are sharpening consumer focus on Africa, Angola offers the stability, resource base and investment appeal needed to support long-term security. Reflecting this focus, AOG will once again feature a multi-track program designed to showcase Angolan opportunities to a global audience.

Across three primary tracks – the Strategic, Technical and Roundtables Track – AOG 2026 will bring together policymakers, operators, financiers and technology providers to address challenges and opportunities across the full investment value chain. The expanded program structure underscores the event’s commitment to facilitating targeted discussions that support project development, strengthen partnerships and address the most pressing challenges facing Angola’s oil and gas sector today.

Strategic Track

As Angola continues to position itself as a leading African investment destination, the AOG 2026 Strategic Track will provide a platform for high-level dialogue between government, operators and investors, focusing on the policies, partnerships and capital frameworks required to sustain production and drive new exploration. Taking place across the two-day main conference, the Strategic Track will address the macro and investment-driven themes shaping Angola’s oil and gas industry.

Sessions will cover investment trends, Angola’s upstream competitiveness, advancing deepwater frontier momentum and opportunities in building an Angolan gas economy. Additional discussions will examine oil trade and the impacts of geopolitics, financing solutions for independents, fuel supply security and refining and the economics of local content success.

Technical Track

Running alongside the Strategic Track, the Technical Track will feature a series of presentations and discussions addressing critical operational and technical challenges across Angola’s oil and gas sector. This track will focus on practical solutions and emerging technologies that are shaping the future of the industry.

Topics will include M&A trends and asset transactions, accelerating AI adoption in oil and gas operations, building the next generation workforce and developing decommissioning frameworks for ageing assets. By focusing on operational efficiency, technology deployment and workforce development, the Technical Track will provide valuable insights for companies looking to optimize performance and extend the life of Angola’s producing assets while preparing for the next generation of projects.

Roundtables Track

A strategic feature at AOG, the Roundtables Track will introduce a more interactive discussion format focused on some of the industry’s most complex and strategic issues. These sessions will bring together small groups of stakeholders for targeted discussions on ensuring global compliance, Angola’s licensing landscape, partnerships and the future of upstream development.

Additional topics will include resolving the dollar/kwanza conundrum, the role of local financial institutions in the oil and gas sector and strategies to strengthen collaboration between international investors and local companies. The introduction of the Roundtables Track reflects growing demand for more focused, solution-driven discussions that move beyond traditional conference formats and toward practical problem-solving and partnership building.

Additional Features: Pre-Conference

In addition to the main conference program, AOG 2026 will include a dedicated pre-conference agenda on September 8, setting the tone ahead of the main conference discussions. Pre-conference sessions will cover subsurface imaging and structural analysis, Angola’s fiscals in a global context and strategies for strengthening Angolan institutions.

Several industry-led workshops will also take place, with companies offering insights into the technologies, solutions and tools that are transforming Angola’s oil and gas sector. These sessions are designed to provide practical knowledge sharing while highlighting the role of technology and innovation in improving efficiency and supporting new project development.

With an expanded multi-track program and the introduction of the Roundtables Track, AOG 2026 continues to evolve into a platform designed to drive investment, strengthen partnerships and support the next phase of Angola’s oil and gas growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Continue Reading

Energy

Minister Ernesto Kesar Joins Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2026 as Trinidad and Tobago Accelerates Upstream Momentum

Published

1 day ago

on

March 27, 2026

By

Energy Capital

The participation of Minister Ernesto Kesar at Caribbean Energy Week comes as the country advances new upstream projects, gas developments and regional energy cooperation

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, March 27, 2026/APO Group/ –Ernesto Kesar, Minister in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries of Trinidad and Tobago, has officially joined the upcoming Caribbean Energy Week (CEW), reinforcing the country’s commitment to upstream growth at a time of renewed momentum in the oil and gas sector.

 

As the twin-island country advances new gas supply projects, encourages exploration and strengthens regional energy ties, Minister Kesar’s participation at CEW 2026 is expected to serve as a launchpad for strengthened regional ties.

Minister Kesar’s participation comes amid a multi-billion-dollar investment surge in Trinidad and Tobago as operators advance projects, regional energy ties and strategic partnerships. At the helm of these efforts, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries continues to prioritize upstream investment, deepwater exploration and cross-border gas projects, positioning the country as a regional hub for natural gas production and LNG exports.

Recent milestones reflect this momentum, with several projects starting production and exploration kicking off across key basins. The bpTT-led Cypre gas project achieved first gas in April 2025, with peak production estimated at 45,000 barrels per day (bpd) – translating to around 250 million standard cubic feet of gas. The project comprised seven wells and will enhance the country’s overall export capacity. In partnership with EOG Resources, the company also started production at the Mento field in 2025, featuring a 12-slot, attended facility.

Looking ahead, bp’s Ginger gas development is on track for first gas production in 2027 following FID reached in 2025. With an expected capacity of 62,000 bpd, the project will feature four subsea wells tied back to the company’s existing Mahogany B platform. The company is also evaluating development options for its Frangipani exploration well which identified multiple stacked gas reservoirs in 2025. These initiatives will not only bring additional volumes online to support LNG exports and domestic capacity, but strengthen the country’s position as a regional hub for oil and gas.

Beyond projects, Trinidad and Tobago is advancing exploration efforts with a view to strengthen its reserves. The company awarded an ultra-deepwater exploration block to ExxonMobil in 2025, signaling the company’s return to the market after nearly two decades. The milestone not only paves the way for the development of Block TTUD-1, but opens the door to nearly $20 billion in potential investment. The move follows a 2025 licensing round launched by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries in 2025, aligning with national goals of revitalizing exploration across deepwater margins.

On a regional front, Trinidad and Tobago is streamlining cross-border collaboration. The country recently secured a license from the United States authorizing oil and gas activities with Venezuela. The approval allows Trinidad-based companies to pursue cross-border gas developments, paving the way for Venezuela to feed new gas volumes into Trinidad and Tobago’s existing LNG and processing infrastructure. The move will not only sustain gas exports but accelerate long-delayed projects such as the Dragon gas field – situated near the maritime border of the two countries.

Trinidad and Tobago is also assessing options to restart the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, which has been closed since 2018 following the restructuring of state-owned Petrotrin. The government is currently in talks with various partners as well as Guyana to reopen the facility. If brought back online successfully, the facility would support regional energy security efforts, highlighting a strategic opportunity for global and regional investors.

As upstream momentum continues to build, the upcoming CEW 2026 offers a strategic platform to advance dialogue on regional gas monetization, energy security and investment opportunities. Minister Kesar’s participation reflects Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to strengthening Caribbean energy ties, paving the way for new collaborations and sustained investment.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Continue Reading

Business

China’s 15th Five-Year Plan: Charting Solutions in an Uncertain World

Published

1 day ago

on

March 27, 2026

By

China

CGTN’s special feature explores potential impacts of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan beyond its borders.
BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 March 2026 – As policymakers and business leaders convene at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, one of the most closely watched gatherings on the global calendar, attention is turning to China’s national development blueprint: the 15th Five-Year Plan. Beijing’s latest development roadmap arrives at a critical moment, as the world is grappling with geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and climate change. With these challenges mounting, many international observers are exploring how this blueprint will shape future development trajectories within China and beyond.
Achim Steiner, former administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, regards green transition, which takes center stage in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, as one of the defining economic shifts of the coming decades. He emphasizes that China’s leadership on renewable energy, ranging from solar panels to electric vehicles, have not only driven down global costs, but also turned technologies like EVs that were once considered “luxury and privilege” into accessible tools for people’s daily lives. He noted such a giant leap in green technology represents a frontline opportunity for transformation on the African continent, where over 600 million people still lack electricity. Steiner believes the green mindset adopted by Beijing will help many developing nations to avoid catastrophic fallout from climate change. And as certain western nations waver on climate commitments, China’s approach to addressing global warming, in contrast, provides a compelling model of a responsible nation, which suggests that green growth can be a policy priority and allow for win-win progress.

Mohd Faiz Abdullah, executive chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies in Malaysia, situates China’s development strategy within a regional context. He says that the cooperation between China and ASEAN has been contributing to regional and global growth. He described the global economic status quo as “increasingly fragmented,” adding that the key challenge is “not to help one individual economy grow,” but to achieve shared and sustained prosperity “at regional and global levels.” Such a joint task requires shared responsibility in a variety of crucial areas covered in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, including advanced manufacturing, green transition and technological upgrading. In his view, the development vision demonstrated in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan is not solely inward-looking, but also a domestic model that can convert to outward impact to the wider world. Abdullah also highlighted that China and ASEAN have already formed one of the world’s most dynamic economic partnerships, characterized by expanding investment flows and deepening integration. He believes that the continued implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will ensure ASEAN and China can work together to achieve shared economic progress for the next decade.

Justin Yifu Lin, former chief economist for the World Bank, argues that while the global economy is mired in uncertainty and turbulence, China remains a rare source of stability, certainty and development momentum. Since about 2008, he noted, China has contributed roughly 30 percent of global growth, underscoring its role as a key engine of the world economy. Acknowledging that challenges are universal rather than unique to China, Lin stressed that what matters is the ability to recognize both constraints and opportunities, and to turn the latter into tangible growth. He pointed to China’s continued potential in technological innovation and industrial upgrading, supported by its large talent pool, vast domestic market, comprehensive manufacturing base and effective coordination between market forces and government policy. While external risks such as supply chain disruptions and trade tensions persist, alongside domestic pressures, including aging and regional development imbalance, Lin suggests China still holds significant growth potential, possibly around 8 percent per year through 2035, if these challenges are well managed.

In a world increasingly defined by uncertainty, China’s 15th Five-Year Plan is deemed as an important source of direction and momentum. As the country aims for a good start to its next five-year development period, seeking to advance modernization through high-quality development, major tasks still lie ahead.

Continue Reading

Trending