The Africa Community Access Programme (AFCAP) is designed to address the challenges of providing reliable access for poor communities. Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and managed by Crown Agents, AFCAP provides advice and undertakes research to deliver safe and sustainable access to rural communities.
Reliable access is essential for rural communities in Africa. Access is required to reach basic services and all kinds of economic and social opportunities. Unreliable and difficult access reduces growth opportunities and negates the benefits from investments in other sectors designed to improve the livelihoods of poor communities.
AFCAP started in 2008; however it is not a new institution and works with existing organisations and programmes funded by a range of development partners. AFCAP supports innovative field research and puts this knowledge into practical use.
The programme is based around a portfolio of research, demonstration, advisory and training projects. These identify and support the uptake of low-cost, proven solutions for rural access that maximise the use of local resources. Project outputs then feed directly into regional and national rural transport policies and strategies for poverty reduction. For more information on specific projects, please visit the AFCAP projects page.
AFCAP beneficiaries
AFCAP will benefit rural communities in Africa. The programme will mean that they have improved access to investments in other sectors; better access to health and education services, improved road safety and greater gender equality in how the transport sector operates.
AFCAP has the support of regional economic communities in Africa, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the Sub Saharan African Transport Policy Programme (SSATP). At the national level, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe have been directly involved in the design of AFCAP and the identification of its first project activities.
AFCAP's management team
Crown Agents provides a core management group for AFCAP. It comprises Jeff Turner, programme manager (email jeff.turner@afcap.org), Rob Geddes, technical services manager (email rgeddes@africaonline.co.zw), and Karen Harries (email karen.harries@crownagents.co.uk), project manager. They will be supported by Crown Agents' head office in the UK and its international offices in the participating countries.