participate in the launch of a Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund in
Accra Ghana
1 July 2007
Accra: The South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini
Zuma who arrived in Accra, Republic of Ghana on Thursday, 29 June 2007 to
attend the 9th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU),
Heads of State and Government (from 1 to 3 July 2007), will on Sunday, 1 July
2007 participate in the launch of a Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund
(PAIDF).
The PAIDF, which will be officially launched by the Ghanaian President,
current Chairperson of the African Union HE John Agyekum Kufuor and the South
African President Thabo Mbeki, has so far mobilised close to $625 million that
will be used to finance continental projects under the AU development flagship
programme, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad).
South Africa and Ghana have made firm commitments to the PAIDF and other
African governments have expressed interest in making contributions pending
legislation from their individual parliaments, allowing them to make the
necessary payments. The South African government has also mobilised the private
sector to partner the continental effort of ensuring that African countries
take ownership of their developmental initiatives and squaring up to challenges
facing the continent.
In this regard, the South African business community, particularly the
insurance and financial institutions have also contributed handsomely to the
fund. In a related development, Minister Dlamini Zuma, subsequent to the launch
of the PAIDF will provide support to President Thabo Mbeki during the African
Union Heads of State and Government Summit, which will deliberate on the
feasibility of an AU Union Government (from 1 to 3 July 2007).
Enquiries:
Vincent Hlongwane
Cell: 082 385 1169
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
1 July 2007
