Belgium, Guinea deepen relations

Belgium and Guinea have signed a new five-year cooperation programme to work together on strengthening entrepreneurship, women's rights and education.

After successfully containing the Ebola crisis, Guinea became a partner of the Belgian Development Cooperation in 2015.

The first cooperation agreement, worth 15 million euros, started in 2016 and will end in 2019.

This new agreement allows Belgium and Guinea to completely align the socioeconomic development vision of Guinea with the priorities of Belgium's Development Cooperation. Belgium's policy is aimed, in particular, at strengthening inclusive economic growth and human rights, with a specific attention for the rights of girls and women.

Speaking, Alexander De Croo, Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Development, said, “This new cooperation agreement with Guinea completely reflects the new approach of the Belgian Development Cooperation. By strengthening the economic fabric and giving more chances to women, we are making sure that Guinea can gradually stand on its own two feet over the medium term. This must be the objective of any of Belgium's interventions.”

The Belgian development agency Enabel ensures the implementation and development of the programme in cooperation with the Guinean Ministry for Development and African Integration.

The focus lies on the geographic axis formed by the cities of Conakry, Kindia and Mamou.