Building institutions for economic governance in states transitioning out of conflict

In 2021, Agulhas undertook a study for the African Development Bank on the experience of building institutions for economic governance in states transitioning out of conflict and fragility. In a number of case-study countries – Liberia, Burundi, Sudan – the study looked where political space for reform was more likely to emerge in post-conflict contexts, and at the extent to which capacity gains through technical assistance programmes survived periods of instability. The study made a case for ‘patient technical assistance’ – that is, for development partners to remain engaged during periods of instability, to avoid contributing to volatility, and where necessary to shift their focus to protecting existing capacity.