MOGADISHU, Somalia - The African Development Bank said it participated in an event where Italy contributed about US$1.2mn towards the Somalia Infrastructure Fund (SIF).

Albert Mafusire, the African Development Bank’s principal country economist for Somalia, represented the Bank’s deputy director general for East Africa and country manager for Somalia, Nnenna Nwabufo.

The Italian ambassador to Somalia, Carlo Campanile and Somalia’s newly appointed minister of public works, reconstruction and housing, Abdifatah Mohamed Ibrahim attended the wedding on behalf of their nations.

Somalia's Ibrahim pledged to continue the work done by his predecessor an work with the Bank and its partners in a reconstruction of infrastructure.

The fund, which is administered by the African Development Bank, is aimed at helping build key infrastructure and boost economic governance in the country, which has been rocked by conflict.

The civil war in Somalia has displaced millions even as the country battles drought and famine.

Italy's contribution to the fund stands at about US$3.2mn. In total, the fund has received 44 percent of pledged contributions at US$29.7mn.

GAROWE ONLINE