"Acting in fragile contexts": the 41st issue of Private Sector & Development magazine is available

The multiple challenges facing fragile countries converge, compounding and feeding off each other. In these countries, we have to simultaneously deal with emergency situations, combat poverty over the long term and factor in the impacts of climate change. 

Faced with these challenges, the importance of the private sector’s role in boosting economic resilience, access to employment and essential services, is more and more widely recognised. Investing in fragile countries is becoming an increasingly important part of the strategies of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and a topic of discussion at international forums such as the World Economic Forum and the United Nations.

“Investment in the private sector of fragile countries is not only something desired by international experts: players on the ground are crying out for it! The initiatives undertaken by various development finance institutions and their partners, presented in this issue of Private Sector & Development, amply demonstrate this”, says Myriam Brigui, director of Business development & Regional offices at Proparco, in the magazine editorial.

This issue offers a lucid analysis of these complex situations, while presenting solutions and innovations that are emerging in response. In particular, it highlights the need for a focused approach: a better analysis of the contexts and a good knowledge of the terrain are essential for assessing the risks associated with projects more effectively as well as for measuring the impact of investment on conflict situations and ensuring that it works in favour of peace.

by Thomas Husson, Head of “Investing in Fragile Contexts” at Proparco, and Emma Sanchis Peris, Investment Officer at Proparco