AIDS tackling efforts receive cash boost

Efforts to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Benin have received a major boost from the African Development Fund, a concessional window of the African Development Bank (ADB). The grant agreement for US $3.9 million was signed earlier this week between ADB and Benin's Minister of Finance and Economy, Gregoire Laourou. ADB vice president, Bisi Ogunjobi, said in a statement: "More specifically, the project in support of the fight against HIV/AIDS aims to contribute to the implementation of preventive measures [and the] development of traditional medicine, and provide support to structures charged with the fight against HIV/AIDS." The country's poverty reduction strategy is also expected to benefit from the grant.