The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) have reaffirmed their strategic partnership to jointly tackle fragility and strengthen resilience in vulnerable regions across Africa. The renewed commitment follows a high-level technical exchange held from April 22 to 23 at the AfDB headquarters in Abidjan.
The two-day engagement brought together senior representatives from both multilateral institutions to deepen collaboration, align operational approaches, and share knowledge on addressing the multifaceted challenges facing transition states and fragile contexts.
“This strategic alliance with the IsDB reinforces our shared vision of addressing complex challenges in transition states through tailored, context-specific approaches,” said Yero Baldeh, Director of the Transition States Coordination Office at the African Development Bank. “By aligning our methodologies and leveraging our complementary strengths, we can deliver more sustainable solutions where development needs are most acute.”
Led by Ahmed Berthe, Lead NGO and Civil Society Specialist, the IsDB delegation included Esra Sayhi and Abass Kassim, both Senior Fragility and Resilience Specialists. The visit builds on ongoing collaboration between the two institutions, including a 2019 civil society dialogue hosted by the AfDB, where joint action areas were initially identified.
“Our institutions serve many of the same member countries facing similar challenges,” said Berthe. “What has impressed us most is the African Development Bank’s shift toward anticipatory action and prevention rather than solely responding to crises. This partnership creates a framework for maximizing our collective impact through coordinated investments, shared knowledge, and aligned strategic priorities.”
During the exchange, both institutions spotlighted existing instruments to support fragile contexts, particularly the AfDB’s Transition Support Facility (TSF), which committed over $610 million to fragile state projects in 2024. Discussions focused on creating stronger synergies between the TSF and IsDB’s financing tools to amplify development outcomes in overlapping countries of operation.
Climate security emerged as a major theme, with participants emphasizing the escalating impact of environmental stressors—especially in regions like the Sahel and the Horn of Africa—and the need for integrated approaches that combine short-term humanitarian assistance with long-term development and resilience-building strategies.
The meeting also addressed the harmonization of fragility assessment methodologies, coordinated deployment of financial instruments, and the development of joint interventions that integrate climate, peace, and development considerations.
“In line with our 2022–2026 Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa, this partnership reflects the Bank’s emphasis on building alliances that amplify development impact,” said Ozong Agborsangaya-Fiteu, Chief Operations Officer of the AfDB’s Transition States Coordination Office. “By combining our institutional strengths with those of the IsDB, we’re creating a more powerful platform for advancing resilience where it’s needed most.”
As a key outcome of the technical exchange, both institutions agreed to establish a joint technical working group, which will guide the operationalization of the partnership. This group will oversee the design and implementation of coordinated initiatives, policy alignment, and knowledge-sharing efforts. A structured implementation framework is expected to guide activities through 2026, in line with the strategic timelines of both organizations.
This enhanced collaboration reflects a shift in both institutions’ approaches—moving beyond crisis response toward proactive engagement that strengthens institutions, fosters inclusive growth, and builds long-term resilience in Africa’s most vulnerable settings.
