More than 50 representatives gathered in Vienna for the three-day workshop led by the African Development Bank Group, OPEC Fund for International Development and the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment.
The meeting marked the second phase of a capacity-building initiative launched in June 2025.
Senior regulatory officials attended from Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Senegal and Uganda.
Participants also included representatives from multilateral and regional development banks, UN agencies, development funds and environmental consultancies.
Training covered land acquisition, resettlement, biodiversity, social inclusion, cultural heritage and occupational and community safety.
Participants also considered financing and monitoring environmental and social management plans and improving cooperation between national regulators and financial institutions.
“Environmental and social safeguards do not sit on the sidelines of development. They are integral to making development more sustainable, inclusive and equitable,” OPEC Fund Vice-President for Strategy Musab Alomar said.
“Ensuring strong environmental and social standards in the projects we finance is a shared responsibility and a cornerstone of effective development.”
The initiative builds on assessments conducted by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) in more than 20 African countries.
The assessments examine national policies, institutions and systems responsible for identifying and managing environmental and social risks associated with development projects.
AfDB Environmental and Social Safeguards and Compliance Department Director Professor Maman-Sani Issa said the partnership provided practical opportunities for countries to exchange experience and strengthen capacity.
“The objective is to equip our regional Member Countries with the knowledge and practical skills required to integrate environmental and social considerations into project design and implementation,” Issa said.
“Stronger country systems will help improve sustainable use and preservation of the natural and human capitals across our Member Countries.”
The Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment led discussions on financing the monitoring of management plans and strengthening regulatory compliance.
Participants also explored opportunities for co-financing and further institutional capacity development.
The next phase will provide tailored national training addressing country-specific weaknesses.
The partners said stronger safeguards would help governments and financial institutions manage risks more effectively while improving the sustainability and development impact of projects.
–AfDB/ChannelAfrica–
