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Amidst Crisis, AfDB Allocates $74m To Sudan
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $74 million in funding for the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production project, which will be implemented by the World Food Program.
This initiative aims to enhance food security and increase wheat production in Sudan.
In a show of support for Sudan during its ongoing civil conflict, Rufus N. Darkortey, the Bank’s Executive Director representing The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, reassured the country of the Bank’s continued assistance in providing humanitarian and economic aid.
“The Bank remains committed to helping Sudan reduce fragility, stabilize its economy, and foster recovery,” said Darkortey, acknowledging the severe impact of the conflict on the nation. The discussions between Darkortey and Sudan’s Finance Minister and Governor of the African Development Bank, Dr. Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed Fediel, took place in Cairo, Egypt, due to the ongoing civil conflict. The focus of the meeting was on the Bank’s ongoing support for Sudan, identifying new priorities, and discussing humanitarian aid.
Darkortey highlighted the importance of expanding aid access nationwide, particularly in Darfur. He also emphasized the need to safeguard investments in Sudan financed by the Bank and development partners during the conflict.
Darkortey commended the outcome of the recent humanitarian donor conference in Paris, where a total of $2.13 billion was pledged for Sudan.
Governor Fediel was informed by the Executive Director that the African Development Bank is supporting Sudan at both national and regional levels. The Bank has allocated $74 million for the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production project, which will be implemented by the World Food Program. This project aims to enhance food security and wheat production in Sudan, with the long-term goal of making Sudan a net exporter of wheat.
Additionally, the Bank has committed $1 million from its Special Relief Fund to support humanitarian and food security efforts for internally displaced persons, refugees, and vulnerable communities.
At the regional level, the Bank is co-financing a $36.4 million emergency project to support the stabilization and recovery of refugees and host communities in the Lake Chad Basin. Furthermore, the Bank is exploring additional regional support to address the displacement crisis resulting from Sudan’s conflict.
Minister Fediel expressed gratitude to the Bank and its President, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, for their substantial support in helping Sudan meet its immediate needs.
He emphasized the importance of continued humanitarian assistance and technical support to assess the impact of the conflict as peace is established.
With the farming season approaching, Minister Fediel called on the Bank to urgently provide agricultural support, including seeds and fertilizers.
Governor Fediel reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthen the African Development Bank by ensuring the settlement of the country’s debt arrears.
He also pledged Sudan’s financial contribution to the ADF-17 replenishment cycle starting in 2025, as outlined in a constituency memorandum signed in 2023.
This memorandum outlines plans to enhance domestic resource mobilization and promote SME-led private sector growth in constituency member countries.
Both officials expressed their appreciation to the Bank’s Sudan Country Office for its leadership during this challenging period.
They also extended their gratitude to the Egypt Office for hosting the mission.
Darkortey also met with the staff of the Bank’s Sudan Country Office, reaffirming the Bank’s ongoing support for their well-being.
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the conditional cash transfer programme of the Federal Government.
Honourable Abass Adigun who moved the motion reminded the House that in order to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the programme in August 2024, nominees for the programme were informed that they will be paid the sum of N50,000 each for three months.
However, some nominees received payment months after information was completed and submitted to the portal, while other nominees have not, and the National Cash Transfer Office has not responded to the payment of other nominees to date.
President Bola Tinubu suspended the scheme – initiated by his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari and administered by the National Social Investment Programme – in January owing to alleged corruption in programme.
But in February, the Federal Government said it was restarting the scheme and is targeting an extra 12 million households that could qualify for these direct payments.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Sirajo Jaja, the Accountant General of Bauchi State for alleged N70 billion fraud.
He was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 alongside Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, an unlicensed bureau de change (BDC) operator and Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator.
They were arrested in connection with investigations of money laundering, diversion of public funds and missapropriation to the tune of N70 billion.
The Commission is investigating the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, regarding the matter.
The EFCC said investigations showed that cash withdrawal of N59billion had been made through various bank accounts opened and operated by the Accountant General on behalf of the state government.
The money was allegedly moved to Abubakar and Sambo, who in turn made cash payments to party agents and associates of the governor.
The BDC operator, Abubakar, earlier jumped bail and has now been rearrested.
Some constituents in Kogi central have reportedly initiated a recall process against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing the senatorial district in the national assembly.
Several videos posted on social media on Wednesday show the constituents lining up to sign their signatures as part of the process.
A source in Kogi, who would not want to be named in the media, confirmed to TheCable that the recall process is ongoing.
The source added that the constituents mobilised heavily to recall the female lawmaker.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexually harassing her.
She was suspended from the senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct” following her seating arrangement altercation with Akpabio.
The process of recalling a senator is outlined in section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The process involves the electorate in the senator’s constituency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and a referendum.
The recall process is expected to take two days across all polling units in the five LGAs of the Kogi central senatorial district.
During the exercise, constituents will be required to sign a petition to the INEC, calling for the senator’s recall.
The INEC, upon receipt of the petition, will thereafter verify the signatures of each constituent to determine whether they are truly registered voters in the senatorial district or not before proceeding with the exercise.