AFD Group finances and drives the transition to a fairer, safer and more resilient world, working with its partners to support communities all over the world. Drawing on the complementary strengths of its entities – Agence Française de Développement for public financing, Proparco for responsible private investment, and Expertise France for technical expertise – the Group is ideally positioned to meet all sustainable development challenges.

Working in over 160 countries, including France’s Overseas Territories and Departments, the Group adapts its operations to the realities on the ground, actively supporting local initiatives. With over 4,000 projects, whose objectives are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AFD Group works on behalf of the French people, together with all stakeholders committed to economic development and the preservation of common goods: climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality and global health.

AFD Group places significant emphasis on addressing air pollution as part of its broader climate and environmental agenda. AFD's strategy for combating air pollution focuses on sustainable urban development, recognizing that urban areas are often hotspots for pollution due to high concentrations of vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and poor waste management.

AFD also finances projects that promote cleaner transportation systems and invests in renewable energy projects that help transition countries away from fossil fuels. By financing solar, wind, and hydropower projects in regions like sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, AFD addresses one of the primary sources of air pollution—coal and oil-based energy production.

In addition to infrastructure investments, AFD supports capacity-building efforts to enhance local governments' ability to monitor and manage air quality effectively. Through partnerships with organizations like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), AFD provides technical assistance for establishing air quality monitoring systems and developing regulatory frameworks for emissions control. These efforts are particularly vital in low- and middle-income countries where institutional capacity for addressing air pollution is often limited.

AFD’s work also extends to tackling indoor air pollution, which disproportionately affects women and children in developing countries due to reliance on traditional biomass fuels for cooking. By financing programs that promote access to clean cooking technologies and alternative fuels, AFD improves household air quality while advancing gender equality and health outcomes.


Projects