I.A.M - Magazine - Page 35
LEADERS CORNER
BEYOND
FRAGILITY
The spectre of fragility, manifested in conflict and weak institutions, represents one
of Africa's 'Achilles Heels' impeding regional integration efforts. But for over two
decades, the AfDB has been stepping up its efforts - steadfastly financing
resilience-building projects and cross-border infrastructure to help foster stability in
fragile States and ultimately transforming vulnerabilities into opportunities.
By Dr. Yero Baldeh
Director
Transition States Coordination Office (AfDB)
03| |
n the complex landscape of African development,
few challenges are as persistent as fragility. Whether
stemming from political instability, conflict, poverty,
or inadequate infrastructure, fragility threatens the
continent's aspirations for economic growth and
regional integration.
The AfDB has prioritized fragility since the early 2000s,
fundamentally reframing it as a manageable risk rather
than a permanent state. This perspective has evolved
through two decades of learning and practice,
culminating in the current Fragility Strategy 2022-2026,
which aims to foster long-term stability through
institutional strengthening, building resilient societies,
and catalyzing private investment.
Fragility considerations are now integrated into all
programming documents and projects. This includes
Country and Regional Strategy papers as well as project
designs, ensuring that addressing fragility is embedded
across the Bank's operations.
This approach is reinforced further by the Bank's
Ten-Year Strategy (TYS 2024-2033) and its High 5
priorities, which explicitly seek to address fragility and
build resilience in Regional Member Countries (RMCs).
For example, by priotizing and scaling up interventions in
global public goods including peace, climate adaptation,
and pandemic preparedness.
