RPFF Approves €100M Work Plan at First In-Person Rabat Meeting
The Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility (RPFF) Governing Council convened its first-ever in-person meeting in Rabat on the sidelines of the Africa Investment Forum (AIF), marking a major milestone for the multi-donor facility.
At the meeting, the Council approved RPFF’s 2026 work plan, which targets commitments of nearly €100 million. These funds are expected to leverage over €550 million in co-financing from the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) ordinary resources. Investments will focus on inclusive growth, improving essential services, building climate resilience, and addressing the root causes of irregular migration across Africa.
Dr Kevin K. Kariuki, AfDB Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, highlighted the facility’s significance: “The RPFF is vital in mobilising resources for strategic investments in energy, transport, and water sectors, providing both concessional loans and technical assistance to drive sustainable development.”
Supported by its founding partners, Italy and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), RPFF was initially capitalised at €158 million. Lorenzo Ortona, Italy’s representative on the RPFF Governing Council, emphasised the nation’s commitment to fostering a new era of African partnerships: “The RPFF is a cornerstone of the Mattei Plan, translating shared goals into tangible projects that empower communities, stimulate economic growth, and enhance climate resilience.”
Sarah Jasim, UAE representative, echoed these sentiments: “Global collaboration is essential to achieving sustainable development and tackling climate change. RPFF will provide African nations with the resources needed to build resilient infrastructure, create opportunities, and improve lives.”
In its first months of operation, the RPFF has already approved two projects demonstrating immediate impact. Angola’s Eastern Region Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (ERAVCDP) received a €17 million concessional loan contribution to a €183 million initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural processing and regional food security.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Borana Resilient Water Development for Improved Livelihoods Program II secured a €6 million grant contribution to a €60 million project improving climate-resilient water and sanitation access for pastoralist communities, with a strong focus on women’s participation.
Dr Daniel Schroth, AfDB Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and head of the RPFF Technical Coordination Unit, praised the founding partners: “Italy and the UAE’s pioneering support has created a facility capable of catalysing transformative development, addressing climate challenges, and driving prosperity across the continent.”
