Conflict-Sensitive Infrastructure Development: Key Considerations for the AU

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the intersection of infrastructure development and peace and security (P&S) within the African Union's (AU) framework. It argues that while the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is central to continental integration, it lacks sufficient integration of conflict-sensitive planning, particularly for projects in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS). The document recommends establishing cross-sectoral coordination, developing specific conflict-assessment tools for the PIDA Service Delivery Mechanism, and creating a knowledge centre to bridge the gap between infrastructure goals and peacebuilding outcomes.

• A significant portion of the AU's Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) projects are located in or cross through fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS). Specifically, approximately 48% of PIDA projects involve at least one country at risk of fragility or conflict, with 17% crossing a country with high institutional and social fragility, 31% crossing a country with medium-intensity conflict, and 3% crossing a country 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 FCAS.
• Infrastructure can have dual impacts in FCAS: it can support peacebuilding by increasing state legitimacy, creating jobs, and integrating isolated populations, but it can also trigger conflict by facilitating corruption or increasing contestation over land valuations and disputed authority.
• There is a critical lack of Africa-specific empirical research and longitudinal studies on the causal links between infrastructure and peacebuilding. Most existing conflict assessment resources are developed by Western partners, such as the OECD, World Bank, and USAID, highlighting the need for regional evidence-based tools.
• The document recommends the AU establish a cross-sectoral committee involving the Peace and Security Department, the Infrastructure and Energy Development Department, and AUDA-NEPAD to ensure P&S considerations are integrated into PIDA PAP 2.
• To improve project success in FCAS, the PIDA Service Delivery Mechanism (SDM) should incorporate specific terms of reference (ToRs) and templates for conflict assessments, security management, and stakeholder engagement into its 'PIDA Quality Label' screening process.
• The AUDA-NEPAD is identified as the ideal host for a knowledge centre for infrastructure development in FCAS. This centre would serve as a repository for regional evidence, drive future research, and provide training to build regional capacity in conflict-sensitive development.

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} }