Development Banks Launch $610M Initiative to Combat Climate Change and Fragility in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) have announced a joint $610 million initiative to address climate-induced fragility in Africa’s most vulnerable regions, including the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. The partnership aims to build climate resilience and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather and resource scarcity, which exacerbate instability in these areas. This commitment was officially launched during a two-day high-level technical exchange at AfDB’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in late April.

The initiative focuses on projects that foster sustainable climate adaptation, resource management, and community-driven resilience. Both institutions seek to implement integrated approaches to enhance climate security and support long-term stability in fragile regions. The effort builds on previous engagements, such as a 2019 civil society dialogue, reinforcing the importance of coordinated investments and shared knowledge.

AfDB’s Director of the Transition States Coordination Office, Yero Baldeh, highlighted that the partnership’s success depends on aligning strategies and leveraging the complementary strengths of both institutions. By combining resources, AfDB and IsDB aim to deliver more sustainable solutions for countries experiencing the compounded challenges of climate change and socio-economic fragility.

The partnership was also shaped by discussions on the African Development Bank’s Transition Support Facility (TSF), which already committed over $610 million to fragile regions in 2024. By coordinating financial instruments and harmonizing assessment methodologies, both banks hope to create stronger synergies and develop more efficient and impactful climate solutions for the affected communities.

Furthering their cooperation, the AfDB and IsDB agreed to form a joint technical working group to ensure the partnership’s success. The initiative aligns with AfDB’s 2022-2026 Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa, focusing on amplifying development impacts through alliances that can tackle Africa’s most pressing challenges in the face of climate change.

Source: Punch