Conflict-Sensitive Infrastructure Development: Key Considerations for the AU

The document argues that while the AU's PIDA PAP 2 prioritises 69 regional projects, many of which cross fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS), there is a lack of integrated policy linking infrastructure development with peace and security (P&S). It highlights that over half of the 39 global FCAS are in Africa and that approximately 48% of PIDA projects involve at least one such country. The brief recommends establishing cross-sectoral coordination between AU departments, creating conflict-specific project templates and terms of reference under the PIDA Service Delivery Mechanism (SDM), and hosting a knowledge centre within AUDA-NEPAD to collect evidence on infrastructure's impact on peacebuilding. It emphasizes that while large-scale projects can enhance state authority, they risk fueling corruption or conflict without in-depth, Africa-specific conflict assessments and community-driven development components.

• A significant portion of the AU's infrastructure portfolio is exposed to fragility; approximately 48% of PIDA projects cross at least one country at risk of fragility or conflict, with 17% crossing countries with high institutional and social fragility, 31% crossing countries with medium-intensity conflict, and 3% crossing countries with high-intensity conflict.
• Current AU and PIDA strategies treat infrastructure and peace and security (P&S) as discrete objectives rather than interdependent goals. The PIDA Priority Action Plan 2 (PIDA PAP 2) and the PIDA Service Delivery Mechanism (SDM) currently lack specific provisions, assessments, or capacity-building tools tailored for projects in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS).
• Infrastructure in FCAS can have divergent impacts: while it can increase state legitimacy, create employment, and integrate isolated populations, it can also act as a conduit for corruption or increase conflict if it represents disputed authority or raises land valuations.
• There is a critical shortage of Africa-specific empirical research and longitudinal studies on the causal links between infrastructure and peacebuilding. Most existing conflict assessment tools were developed by Western partners, such as the OECD, World Bank, and USAID, underscoring the need for regional evidence-based studies.
• To improve project success in FCAS, the author recommends that the AU establish a cross-sectoral committee involving the Peace and Security Department and the Infrastructure and Energy Development Department, and integrate P&S-specific terms of reference and templates into the PIDA Quality Label screening process.
• The AUDA-NEPAD is identified as the ideal host for a knowledge centre for infrastructure development in FCAS, which would serve as a repository for regional evidence and a platform for training and peer learning, potentially leveraging the larger budget of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC).

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2021). Conflict-Sensitive Infrastructure Development: Key Considerations for the AU. https://saiia.org.za/research/conflict-sensitive-infrastructure-development-key-considerations-for-the-au/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Conflict-Sensitive Infrastructure Development: Key Considerations for the AU. 2021. https://saiia.org.za/research/conflict-sensitive-infrastructure-development-key-considerations-for-the-au/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Conflict-Sensitive Infrastructure Development: Key Considerations for the AU |date=24 June 2021 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/conflict-sensitive-infrastructure-development-key-considerations-for-the-au/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2021conflictsensitive, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Conflict-Sensitive Infrastructure Development: Key Considerations for the AU}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2021}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/conflict-sensitive-infrastructure-development-key-considerations-for-the-au/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }