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Cementing the foundations of growth
The cement sector is evolving rapidly. Consumption is increasing, boosted by demand from emerging countries; consolidation is being scaled up almost everywhere. Production continues to be mainly local...
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Mixed results for private sector participation in Africa's railways
Africa's railways face competition from roads and need to be modernized. Their diversity means that reforms must be conducted on a case-by-case basis; private participation can also take a variety of...
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African railway concessions, a step forward but not the whole answer
Railway concessions in Africa may present significant difficulties but they do often improve economic results and service quality. If they are to be effective, African concessions must be based on joi...
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The paradox of the Djibouti-Ethiopia railway concession failure
The Djibouti to Ethiopia railway line concession ended in failure despite the fact that the rehabilitation project was considered viable and that it was also fully coherent from a political and econom...
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Impact Data, online platform for collecting impact data
As a development finance institution, Proparco is committed to promote transparency and accountability in assessing the social, economic and environmental impacts of its financing operations. With the...
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Improving concession contracts in sub-Saharan Africa
Thanks to its experience in Africa's rail sector, the European Investment Bank can determine optimal conditions for implementing a concession. The conceding authority must first and foremost be strong...
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Developing Africa's railways using existing infrastructure
Although it may be difficult to make a final assessment of rail concessions in Africa, it is possible to point up the conditions that foster private sector involvement. In order to upgrade infrastruct...
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Railway concessions in Africa : difficulties encountered and possible solutions
Although railway lines may offer a great economic interest for certain African States, private players such as Bolloré Group, which manages Sitarail and Camrail under concessions, have to face a whole...
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A balance between public and private sector roles : the key to a successful rail concession
When it comes to transport capacity, cost per kilometer, longevity and safety, railways are preferable to roads. However, concessions have not promoted private investment as much as expected and have...
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Getting the mining sector to work for Africa: the role of DFIs
The role played by Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in the rapid development of Africa 's mining sector has seen a slight downturn. This can be explained by the strong presence of private inves...
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The singular identity of a true "African child"
Mwana Africa – a mining company founded and managed by Africans – bases its development strategy on diversity (geographical sites, minerals exploited) and responsibility. Although employee safety is a...
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The role of transparent and fair taxation in converting Africa's mineral wealth into development
The mining industry does not contribute enough to Africa 's development – when it does not make local populations poorer and destroy the environment. Its fiscal regime needs to be overhauled, with a g...
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What are the impacts of the African mining sector liberalization?
Mineral sector reform has brought mining back to Africa - aided by price rises in the early 2000s - mpacting on investment, growth and poverty reduction. And there are no indications that price trends...
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The rise of emerging players in global mining: drivers and future challenges
Mining companies in emerging countries benefited from market liberalization and the surge in raw materials prices between 2003 and 2008. This allowed them to strengthen their balance sheets, invest in...
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Morocco: medical assistance for micro-business owners
Al Amana is Morocco’s leading microfinance institution, both in terms of customer base and the amount of credit provided. It operates throughout the country, supporting a vulnerable population by offe...
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Kigali amendment: concrete progress on climate change and opportunity for the private sector
Focus on an historic climate agreement that has gone almost unnoticed on the margins of COP22: the amendment adopted in Kigali in October 2016 aims to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs or F-gases). T...
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Experiences in index-based insurance for farmers: lessons learnt from Senegal and Bangladesh
Index insurance is an innovative approach that pays out benefits based on a pre-determined index (e.g. rainfall, seismic activity, livestock mortality rates, etc.) for losses arising from weather and...
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Using insurance to harness savings and boost corporate and capital investment: the example of the CIMA zone
In Africa, insurers are potentially able to channel household savings and make long-term investments in businesses and infrastructure projects, however a number of obstacles continue to hamper their c...
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Proparco public procurement
Proparco is subject to the public procurement rules set out in the French Public Procurement Code, which came into force on April 1, 2019. Proparco's contracts respect the principles of freedom of acc...
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Micro-health insurance: the user perspective
There are many social and cultural obstacles facing micro-health insurance in developing countries. While disadvantaged communities develop their own solidarity, risk-sharing and planning mechanisms,...
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