Jeddah, 2.11.2014 :- The President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali has announced a US $1 billion package in the next three years for the development of IDB member countries in the Horn of Africa. He made the announcement at a tour of the region where he visited Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya in a joint trip with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and World Bank President Jim Kim. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen regional cooperation for peace, security and
development.
“The aim of Islamic Development Bank is to contribute to development activities in the Horn of Africa, which stabilize the present and secure the future. We cannot afford to sit while millions of people need our support” said Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali.
“From my visit to the region, I am optimistic that a better future is around the corner. I would like to call on all development agencies to strengthen their effort in making sure that the Horn of Africa becomes a success story”, he added.
The IDB Group had mobilized over US$ 5.9 billion for countries in the Horn of Africa since 1975 when the bank was established. IDBG has supported its four member countries in the region, namely, Somalia, Uganda, Sudan and Djibouti in the provision of basic infrastructure such as energy, transport, water and sanitation. Other areas in which IDB contributed include agriculture, health and education as well as cross border trade with Kenya and Ethiopia.

During the visit, President Ahmad Mohamed Ali held bilateral discussions with H.E. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti, and H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia. The IDB President visited the Somali refugee camps in Kenya at ifo 2 Hospital, Veranda together with the UN Secretary General and the World Bank President.
In a joint press conference in Mogadishu with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and World Bank President Jim Kim, Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali reiterated the commitment of IDB towards peace, security and development in the region. He added that IDB had always been present in these countries in times of peace and in period of conflicts. Dr Ahmad Ali assured the countries in the Horn of Africa, that IDB will utilize the Reverse Linkage Programe it initiated to transfer technology and other expertise
from some of its member countries to address some of the development challenges in the region.