By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has taken a step toward increased transparency with the release of AfDB data on AidFlows, a website that visualizes global development aid.
The new data provides information on AfDB funds committed and disbursed to beneficiaries, including South Africa, South Sudan, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
“Transparency keeps us accountable and engaged with our partners and stakeholders,” said Frannie Léautier, AfDB’s Senior Vice-President.
“Through greater transparency, stakeholders are able to monitor the outcomes of AfDB’s operations and therefore it will help assure that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries,” Léautier added.
AidFlows is a unique platform that houses comprehensive and easy-to-read aid data from a range of multilateral development banks and the OECD.
Launched in 2010, it was the first platform of its kind to show global data on aid funding.
AidFlows provides public access to data on the flow of aggregate development funds from development partners to beneficiaries.
The expansion of AidFlows has been made possible by open data initiatives within various governments, public and private institutions around the world.
“We applaud AfDB’s efforts to increase aid transparency and openness and welcome them to the AidFlows family,” said Axel van Trotsenburg, the World Bank’s Vice President of Development Finance. “This addition helps AidFlows provide a more comprehensive picture of where development assistance is being spent and helps inform and support policy decisions.”
The addition of AfDB data expands the AidFlows partnership and brings greater detail to development flows to Africa.
AidFlows is a partnership between the OECD, the World Bank, AfDB, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.