Development Banks Project $610m to Combat Africa’s Climate Threat
The African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank are pooling a $610m joint initiative to combat climate-driven fragility and bolster resilience in Africa’s most vulnerable regions, particularly the Sahel and Horn of Africa.
The announcement was made via a statement shared on AfDB’s Facebook page on Wednesday. However, this commitment was formalised during a high-level technical exchange held on April 22-23 at AfDB’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The two-day meeting convened senior officials from both institutions to align strategies, share best practices, and deepen collaboration on tackling complex challenges in transition states and fragile regions.
Building on previous engagements, including a 2019 civil society dialogue hosted by AfDB’s Civil Society Division, the partnership emphasises coordinated investments and integrated approaches to enhance climate security and resilience. The $610m fund will support projects aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and resource scarcity, which exacerbate fragility in affected areas.
These banks said this strategic alignment marks a significant step toward addressing the intertwined challenges of climate change and fragility in Africa. By pooling their resources and expertise, they aim to deliver sustainable solutions that empower vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, this initiative will prioritise scalable projects that promote climate adaptation, sustainable resource management, and community-driven resilience, with a focus on creating long-term stability in regions prone to environmental and socio-economic stressors.
“This strategic alliance with IsDB reinforces our shared vision of addressing complex challenges in transition states through tailored, context-specific approaches,” Director of the Transition States Coordination Office at the African Development Bank, Yero Baldeh, said.
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“By aligning our methodologies and leveraging our complementary strengths, we can deliver more sustainable solutions in places where development needs are most acute.”
The IsDB delegation was led by the Lead NGO and Civil Society Specialist, Ahmed Berthe, including Esra Sayhi and Abass Kassim, both Senior Fragility and Resilience Specialists.
“Our institutions serve many of the same member countries facing similar challenges,” noted Berthe.
“What has impressed us most is the African Development Bank’s shift toward anticipatory action and prevention rather than simply responding to crises. This partnership creates a framework for maximising our collective impact through coordinated investments, shared knowledge, and aligned strategic priorities.”
The exchange spotlighted the African Development Bank’s Transition Support Facility, which committed more than $610m to projects in fragile contexts in 2024. Discussions explored how the TSF’s approach could complement IsDB’s financing tools and create stronger synergies in countries where both institutions operate.
Climate security emerged as a key theme, with both partners recognizing the role of environmental challenges exacerbating fragility, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. The partnership will help develop integrated approaches that address immediate needs and build long-term resilience for both institutions.
Further, they also explored ways to harmonise assessment methodologies, coordinate financial instruments, and implement integrated approaches to climate security, with both institutions agreeing to establish a joint technical working group to operationalize the partnership.
“In line with our 2022-2026 Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa, this partnership reflects the Bank’s strategic emphasis on building alliances that amplify our development impact,” Chief Operations Officer at RDTS, Ozong Agborsangaya-Fiteu, said.
“By combining our institutional strengths with IsDB, we’re creating a more powerful platform for advancing resilience where it’s needed most.”
