AfDB, Japan Partners To Promote Investment In Governance And Environment.

The African Development Bank and Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) have signed a partnership to promote environmental, social and governance investments in the global capital markets, according to the Bank's release.

The collaboration between the Bank and GPIF, signed recently, will focus on channeling investments towards inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Through this partnership, the Bank’s green and social bonds will provide unique investment opportunities to GPIF’s asset managers to finance climate mitigation and adaptation projects in Africa.

The projects is expected to lead to poverty reduction, job creation, and inclusive growth across age, gender and geography, improving the quality of life of Africans, according to its press release.

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the AfDB said "I am delighted that the world’s largest pension fund for the promotion of sustainable investment, is partnering with the African Development Bank. This landmark strategic partnership will help to catalyze investment capital, create more sustainable investments and support the African Development Bank to achieve its High 5 priorities to fast-track Africa’s development."

The Bank has established a green bond framework and a social bond framework, with the goal of supporting commitments towards climate finance and socio-economic development.

These frameworks showcase the AfDB’s concrete actions on the continent, and are aligned to the International Capital Market Association’s green and social bond principles.

“Further advancing the sustainable and inclusive development of Africa will lead to the sustainability of the whole world. GPIF is delighted to collaborate with the African Development Bank on this partnership and support their needs and journey going forward,” Hiro Mizuno, GPIF’s Executive Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer (CIO), said.

Describing GPIF as “an exceptional investor, whose commitment to developing the SRI market is truly aligned with the Bank’s mission,” Hassatou Diop N’Sele, Bank Treasurer also signaled her satisfaction with the agreement.

“Changing people’s lives is at the core of the Bank’s work and with GPIF we will be investing in Africa’s future,” she said.

The Bank’s ten-year strategy for 2013-2022 targets the promotion of inclusive growth in Africa and the support of regional countries’ transition to “green growth”.

Through its operational priorities - the High 5s – the Bank offers a compelling opportunity to accelerate the continent’s transformation.

GPIF is Japan's largest public fund investor and the largest pool of retirement savings in the world.