Bata, Equatorial Guinea – The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea concluded, on October 30, 2025 , a major financing agreement of 58.61 million euros to boost economic inclusion and youth employment.

This financial commitment is dedicated to the first phase of the Human Capital Strengthening Project in support of economic and social inclusion (PARCH 1) .

A return to investment in human capital

The signing of the agreement, carried out in Bata by Léandre Bassolé , Director General of the AfDB for Central Africa, and Pedro Abeso Obiang Eyang , Deputy Minister of Finance and Budget and Alternate Governor of the Bank for Equatorial Guinea, marks the return of AfDB investments in the country's human development sectors after a decade.

The main objective of PARCH 1 is to improve the quality and supply of training to facilitate access to employment for young people, girls and boys, in order to support private sector-led economic growth.

Concrete results expected

This first phase of the project is ambitious and includes, in particular:

1. The training of nearly 2,000 young people , 45% of whom are young women.
2. The creation of 4,500 jobs .
3. The establishment of 500 businesses led by young people and women.
4. The construction of two of the five planned provincial polytechnic institutes (in Mongomo and Luba), respecting international standards and climate sustainability.
5. Mobilizing the private sector through internships, setting up incubators and entrepreneurship support funds.

The executives hailed it as a "strategic investment".

Mr. Bassolé stressed that this project is a bridge between "the infrastructure built over the past few decades and the skills needed to operate it, maintain it and transform it into sustainable wealth", making knowledge the "country's primary resource" .

For his part, Mr. Obiang Eyang described this funding as "a strategic investment in the future of our youth" , laying "the foundations for a diversified and resilient economy".

The total cost of PARCH 1 amounts to 73.27 million euros . The difference will be financed by a contribution from the Equatorial Guinean government of 14.65 million euros .