This report from the African Development Bank’s High-Level Panel on Fragile States draws on commissioned research on conflict and fragility in Africa and on wide consultation with African governments, civil society organisations and citizens. It calls for emphasis within the development agenda in Africa on addressing economic, social and envrironmental change – population growth, the youth bulge, urbanisation, the growth of the extractive industries, and climate disruption and natural resource scarcity.
The report argues that this means building capable and legitimate states, supported by a network of partnerships. Such partnerships include drawing on the resilience and capabilities in the private sector, civil society and within communities, for example in service delivery. In addition, regional frameworks and processes can help to support national resilience.
The African Development Bank could increase its efforts in:
- addressing the multi-dimensional challenge of youth employment;
- providing direct support for private investment in isolated economies;
- empowering women as key actors in peacebuilding and statebuilding and in building livelihoods;
- supporting economic aspects of justice and security, including promoting human security in Africa’s cities; and
- building the capacity of the Regional Economic Communities to pursue regional solutions to drivers of fragility such as natural resource management and the extractive industries.
