Type of Recipient
Public entity at the national level
Public entity at the sub-national level
Public entity at the regional level
Private sector
Region
Middle East and North Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Fund Size
$126.4 million
Co-financing Requirement
No
Sectors and Themes
Energy
Industry and Infrastructure
Transport
Water
Climate Objective
Adaptation
Mitigation
Type of Support Provider
Multilateral
Trustee or Administrator
African Development Bank
Contact Information
Official Website
The New Partnership for Africa’s Development – Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD – IPPF) is a Multi-Donor Special Fund hosted by the African Development Bank. It was launched in June 2002 in response to a call of the G8 countries in Kananaskis (Canada) to address the lack of investment-ready and viable infrastructure projects in Africa. Its mandate is to spur regional integration and sustainable infrastructure development across the continent.
The NEPAD-IPPF Special Fund was established to support African countries, regional economic communities, specialized agencies and related institutions by providing grant resources for (i) preparing high-quality and viable regional/continental infrastructure projects that will attract financing from public and private sources; (ii) developing a consensus and partnership for project implementation; and (iii) promoting infrastructure projects and programs that enhance regional integration and trade.
NEPAD – IPPF has a strong focus on priority projects in the Programme for Infrastructure Development (PIDA), and projects that enhance regional connectivity for intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Equally, regional projects supported by the Fund align with climate change and gender equality objectives, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
Support Provider
African Development Fund, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom/FCDO, Norway, Spain, Denmark, USAID
Purpose of Support
Prepare Proposals, Projects and Pipelines
Funding Type
Grants
Loans (concessional and market-rate)
In-kind contributions
Eligibility Criteria
The NEPAD-IPPF supports projects in the following sectors: transport, energy, ICT, and water resources management. Activities eligible for financing under the Fund are (i) pre-feasibility studies; (ii) feasibility studies; (iii) project structuring; (iv) capacity building for infrastructure development; and (v) facilitation and creation of an enabling environment for regional infrastructure development.
Eligible Countries
All countries in Africa
Information on how to
Institutional and Implementing Arrangements:
- Written Agreement/MOU between/among participating countries
- Formal designation of Lead Institution (s) by participation countries
- Formal designation of Implementing Agency by participating countries
- Written record of meetings demonstrating ownership/commitment by Government/Project Sponsors
Regional and National Alignment:
- Priority in Regional Programme, Infrastructure Master Plan or Continental Initiative (PIDA, PICI, REC)
- Priority in Sector Master Plan (Corridor Authority, Power Pool, River Basin, etc.)
- Priority in pipeline of DFI (e.g. AfDB’s RISP, CSP; or other DFIs)
- Priority in National Development Plan (NDP), Infrastructure Plan, etc
Project Readiness:
- Availability of Project Concept Note (PCN)
- Availability of precedent study report(s) or project assessment study requiring updating
- Availability of other relevant supporting studies or assessments
Financing Prospects:
- Evidence of project as part of funding pipeline of DFI, bilateral/multilateral donor or financiers/investors
- Proof that the project appears in the NDP in terms of budget allocation
- Evidence of DFI/Donors funding, interest, commitment or pledge
- Evidence of developer/sponsor/concessionaire interest, commitment or pledge
Counterpart Contributions & Co-Financing:
- Proof of ability to make mandatory counterpart contributions
- Counterpart contributions will range from 5% to 20% depending on the country and in line with AfDB classification (e.g. Fragile States, Low Income, Middle Income)
- Proof of ability and commitment to making additional co-financing contributions
Regional Connectivity:
- Proof that project is situated in area/region with low connectivity and would foster improved integration and connectivity
- Evidence that project would open up important regional resource area/corridor
- Evidence project would open up major cross-border opportunities for inclusive growth of local population
Supplementary Considerations:
- Proof of high level political buy-in /championing
- Evidence that project is new regional priority with formal approval of relevant regional institutions
- Re-submission of cancelled /re-designed project and proof that issues around initial cancellation have/will be addressed in re-submitted project