Overview
The Challenges
With 54 regional member countries, the Bank invests billions of dollars each year in African projects spanning many different sectors to support inclusive development and the transition to green growth – from energy to agriculture, transport, water supply and sanitation, and health.
The Bank affirms its vision and intent across distinct but interlinked investment sectors and thematic areas, and points to pathways of execution through comprehensive strategies that serve several key purposes:
- Setting out the problem statement to clearly outline the challenges of the sector.
- Providing insight on how to address the above challenges and make a tangible difference to people’s lives.
- Outlining the investment criteria for future project financing.
- Prioritising the areas, activities and interventions that will maximise impact.
- Identifying the internal systems and resources needed to service the sector.
The Solution
Pegasys has recently worked with the Bank on two strategic documents: one to address Bank operations in fragile states, and the other to articulate how the Bank will work with African countries over the next decade and beyond to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement by addressing climate change and promoting green growth on the continent.
The new fragility strategy will guide the Bank’s work in fragile and conflict-affected situations, building resilience and promoting appropriate infrastructure investment. While the Bank has a track record of working with fragile countries, the new strategy expands its focus to include fragile situations in a much wider range of countries than the ones formally classified as fragile and prioritises conflict prevention and early warning systems.
The Bank’s first Climate Change and Green Growth Strategic Framework comprises three components – a policy, a strategy and an action plan. Together, they build on the Bank’s long-standing experience in this area, and set out a clear vision for climate action and green investments. The goal is two-fold: to address climate change and its risk, and to ensure the continent can benefit from the many opportunities associated with a green economy.
At Pegasys we know that the most resilient city is the city that can raise the revenue needed to provide and maintain urban infrastructure as well as the city that has the political credibility to govern and manage growth fairly and predictably.
Stephen Berrisford Associate Director
Results
As a financial institution, the African Development Bank makes a difference through investment – and the impact of these investments depends heavily on the Bank’s ability to understand each sector and accurately identify the right areas and initiatives on which to place its focus.
Supporting two strategies for the African Development Bank has allowed Pegasys to shape how this organisation works, guiding its approach to many major issues on the African continent. Providing advice at this level allows us to make a tangible difference to millions of people’s lives, in countries across the continent. We are proud to have this opportunity.
The Numbers
We’ve worked with the African Development Bank for 10 years now, building trust and relationships through smaller operational work. On the back of that trust and credibility, we are now able to offer strategic guidance at the highest levels.
Laura Rizzotto, Principal
