A pioneering development finance institution

The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is a public body at the heart of the French development assistance apparatus. It has been working for over 80 years to combat poverty and promote development in the Global South. It also supports the economic and social dynamism of France’s overseas departments and territories.

Through grants, loan guarantee funds, debt relief and development contracts, AFD finances projects, programmes and studies, and supports the capacity-building of its partners in the Global South.

AFD funds and supports development projects and programmes and accelerates transitions towards a fairer and more sustainable world. Its teams are involved in more than 4,000 projects – covering issues relating to the climate, biodiversity, peace, education, urban development, health and governance –  in 115 countries and in French overseas departments and territories, thereby contributing to France’s and the French people’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 

Sport: a key component of AFD’s social cohesion strategy

While AFD has been integrating elements of sport into the projects it supports for several years, sport has now become a key component of its strategy.
To promote education through sport and strengthen social cohesion from an early age, AFD engages with public institutions and civil society organisations.

Partnerships formed with a number of international sports organisations, such as the NBA, FIFA and the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, aim to ensure sports promotion, raise awareness among young beneficiaries of sustainable development issues, and organise sports events.