Funds for rural electrification project

The Abidjan-based African Development Bank (ADB) has signed a loan agreement with Ethiopia to finance a rural electrification project. The funds, amounting to about US $46 million, will be used to extend the national electricity grid in seven regions - Tigray, Benshangul Gumuz, Somali, Afar, Oromiya, Amhara, and Southern Nations and Nationalities. The grid will reach a total of 36 districts in these seven regions. "The provision of electricity will improve the quality of life of the disadvantaged people, including women and children, by increasing access to social services, employment opportunities and private sector activities," an ADB statement said. "Moreover it will contribute to the development of the private sector through the introduction and expansion of small and medium enterprises," the statement said. "Women will particularly benefit from the project through employment opportunities in non-farm activities." The statement added that to date, the ADB had committed a total of US $1.3 billion for projects in Ethiopia.