For all the gains that have been made in promoting stability, fragility still remains a significant barrier to development on the continent. 19 of the worlds 35 most fragile states are in Africa, according to the World Fragility Index.
These nations, which are home to over 200 million people, representing 20% of Africas population, grapple with a host of complex challenges, including social unrest, political instability, corruption, weak governance, and the devastating human toll of conflict. The fragility of these states makes it particularly difficult for them to attract investment or effectively respond to shocks such as natural disasters. Additionally, they pose a risk to regional and global development due to the tendency of instability to spill over to neighbouring countries and regions.
Recognising the enormity of the challenge and the necessity for a decisive African response to ensure no country is left behind, the African Development Bank (AfDB) became one of the first multilateral development banks to incorporate the concept of fragility into its operations in 2001. By 2004, the Bank had established its first facility dedicated to supporting post-conflict countries in clearing their public debt arrears.
In 2008, the Bank launched the Fragile States Facility now known as the Transition Support Facility (TSF) which has through the years mobilised more than $4.9 billion to assist fragile states. The TSFs flexibility has also allowed the Bank to respond swiftly in times of crisis. For instance, it provided rapid financial support to West African countries hardest hit by the 2014 Ebola crisis
In its latest strategy for addressing fragility and building resilience in Africa, AfDB highlights the severe challenges faced by countries enduring prolonged periods of fragility. Countries that have experienced fragility over an extended period face higher poverty and food insecurity, wide gaps in infrastructure and public services, deep institutional deficits, and undiversified economies, the lender states in a document outlining its current strategy, which spans from 2022 to 2026.
