Approval of $277 million investment to enhance employment, healthcare, and green transportation across member states by IsDB (IsDB Investment in Job Creation, Healthcare Improvement, and Green Transport Expansion in Member States)
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has recently approved a total of $277 million in financing for development projects in Mauritania, Côte d'Ivoire, and The Gambia. This funding, which targets key sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and education, aims to support job creation, improve public health systems, enhance urban mobility, and build human capital.
### Mauritania: Expansion of the National Cardiology Center in Nouakchott
Approximately €26.18 million (about $30.7 million) has been allocated for the expansion of the National Cardiology Center in Nouakchott, Mauritania. This project is designed to improve the country’s capacity to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of premature death. Enhancing specialized heart care access will save lives and strengthen the health system.
### Côte d’Ivoire: Abidjan Sustainable and Integrated Urban Mobility Project
The IsDB has committed roughly €200 million towards upgrading and greening the public transit system in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Improving transportation infrastructure will reduce commute times, lower emissions, and increase accessibility to jobs and education for residents, especially in poorer neighborhoods.
### The Gambia: School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences
An investment of $32.2 million will support the launch of a new School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences in The Gambia, which will train doctors and nurses locally. This initiative aims to strengthen the health workforce and improve the country’s health system sustainability.
These projects address several critical Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by improving health outcomes (SDG 3), contributing to inclusive and quality education (SDG 4), fostering decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), promoting resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization (SDG 9), and making cities inclusive, safe, and sustainable (SDG 11).
The IsDB's financing reflects a comprehensive and transformative approach to help these countries meet urgent development challenges and advance towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, fostering long-term economic growth and improved quality of life for their populations.
- The expansion of the National Cardiology Center in Nouakchott, Mauritania, supported by $30.7 million, is part of a broader effort in the world's health-and-wellness sector, aiming to combat heart diseases.
- In Côte d'Ivoire, a $200 million project aims to revamp and green Abidjan's public transit system, with an objective to boost urban mobility, reduce emissions, and facilitate access to jobs, education, and other essential services.
- The IsDB's $32.2 million investment in The Gambia includes the establishment of a School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, which seeks to enhance the local workforce in the healthcare sector for sustainable improvements.
- These initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to achieve inclusive and quality education (SDG 4), foster decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), promote resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization (SDG 9), and make cities inclusive, safe, and sustainable (SDG 11), thereby contributing to long-term economic progress and improved quality of life.
- Furthermore, these projects target the development of the economy (SDG 8) and job creation, while also addressing the need for better healthcare (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), and urban mobility (SDG 11), demonstrating the IsDB's commitment to comprehensive, transformative development.
- Ultimately, these development projects embarked upon by the Islamic Development Bank serve to help nations tackle immediate challenges and advance towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, thereby fostering worldwide economic growth and progress in various sectors such as education, health, and business.
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