The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have signed a new Co-Financing Framework Agreement in Washington D.C. during the World Bank Group–IMF Spring Meetings. The agreement strengthens their long-standing partnership and establishes a structured framework for jointly financing development programmes aimed at transforming rural economies and improving food systems worldwide. It focuses on increasing coordination and impact in investments targeting small-scale farmers, rural communities, and small and medium-sized enterprises across developing regions.
Both institutions emphasized that the partnership is designed to scale up rural development efforts, strengthen food security, and promote climate-resilient agriculture. The agreement reflects a shared goal of directing financing more efficiently to vulnerable rural populations, particularly in regions facing economic and environmental challenges. It also aims to support inclusive growth by improving productivity, resilience, and access to markets for farmers and rural enterprises.
A key feature of the agreement is its emphasis on integrated cooperation mechanisms, including joint supervision of projects, shared technical assistance, and harmonized environmental, social, and fiduciary standards. These measures are intended to improve efficiency and ensure that development programmes are more coherent and impactful. The partnership will also promote knowledge exchange and coordinated policy dialogue to strengthen long-term rural transformation.
The collaboration builds on decades of financial and technical support from AFD to IFAD, including sovereign and concessional loans as well as co-financing contributions to development projects across multiple countries. This funding has supported initiatives ranging from agricultural risk management and farmer organization capacity-building to market access and value chain development in Africa, the Middle East, and other vulnerable regions.
Overall, the renewed agreement highlights a continued commitment by IFAD and AFD to advance sustainable rural development by leveraging joint financing, expertise, and global partnerships. The initiative is expected to further strengthen food systems, enhance climate resilience, and improve livelihoods for millions of people dependent on agriculture worldwide.
