French Development Agency on a visit to Samoa

From April 20th to 23rd 2026, Ms. Safia Ibrahim, Regional Director for the Pacific at the Agence Française de Développement (AFD, the French Development Agency), undertook her first visit to Samoa and Fiji since taking office in September 2025. This was the first AFD visit to Samoa at this level of leadership, though several AFD officers have travelled there over the years to follow-up on AFD’s projects in the country.

This visit aimed to meet with Samoan authorities, project implementers and beneficiaries, as well as the team at the recently-opened French Embassy in Apia and its fellow diplomatic and donor community.

AFD’s portfolio in the Pacific focuses on climate change and biodiversity, while addressing major challenges including health, green finance, energy transition and sustainable infrastructure within the framework of the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative. In the region, AFD mobilizes its technical and financial instruments in both French Pacific territories and 15 partner countries, supporting sustainable development and regional integration, with an overall budget of 60 millions euros (192 million talas). Samoa currently benefits from seven AFD-funded regional projects. These cover a wide array of sectors, from waste management to health, from emergency-preparedness to social inclusion through rugby, as well as a specific focus on nature-based solutions.

AFD’s delegation was composed of Ms. Safia Ibrahim, Regional Director for the Pacific and Mr. Thomas Zaratiegui, Head of Regional Operations. They had the opportunity to meet with Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, the CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms. Peseta Noumea Simi and the CEO of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ms. Lealaisalanoa Frances Brown-Repeuna. The CEO of MFAT also convened a meeting between international donors based in Samoa to coordinate their official development assistance to the country and thus ensure an optimal allocation of funds. This was an opportunity to engage with the authorities to better understand the local context, the country’s strategic priorities, and to provide an overview of regional projects funded by France through AFD.

The delegation met with SPREP Director General, Sefanaia Nawadra, at the organisation’s Vailima headquarters. AFD’s actions have a strong focus on climate and biodiversity and several AFD projects are being implemented by SPREP: Sustainable Waste Action in the Pacific (SWAP) with 7.3 million euros (23.3 million talas), and the new Pacific Ocean Initiative with 8 million euros (25.6 million talas). SPREP is also a key player of the multi-donor Kiwa Initiative (half of its global 80-million euros/255.7-million talas budget being funded by AFD) on climate change adaptation, managed by AFD, providing technical assistance to smaller organisations and supporting local communities. The delegation also met Live and Learn Samoa as well as Conservation International Samoa, respectively in charge of the Kiwa projects PRESERVE and RESTORE.

Finally, several field visits allowed meaningful engagement with project implementers and beneficiaries:

– O Le Pupu Pue National Park, where the Samoa Conservation Society implements a Kiwa Initiative local project (long-term forest management and restoration). The project’s Conservation Area Support Network (CASN) was launched on 22 April, a key milestone enhancing local communities’ commitment;

– Malololelei Recreational Reserve, where the Samoa Conservation Society implements the Kiwa INSPIRE project to manage invasive species.