ADB-Afghanistan Partnership Strategy

The insurgency in Afghanistan continues to shape the country’s development trajectory and adversely affects all aspects of life in Afghanistan. Economic growth has slowed  considerably since 2014 and is not high enough to counter the country’s rapidly growing population, resulting in increased poverty. Afghanistan is also grappling with high numbers of internally displaced persons and the millions of refugees returning from  neighboring countries, which place a greater strain on the already limited services and capabilities of the government. Insufficient infrastructure limits private sector activity and prevents greater access to basic services. Government capacity is improving but needs further support to make development assistance more effective.

In response to these and other development challenges, the Afghanistan Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) (2017-2021) of ADB for aims to establish a stronger foundation for more inclusive and sustainable growth and to prevent the poverty rate from worsening. The CPS will build on the strong partnership that has been established between ADB and Afghanistan, and enhance the effectiveness and inclusiveness of ADB operations. The CPS will integrate various approaches to fragile and conflict-affected situations. ADB will base its operations on three strategic pillars: (i) expanded access for women and men to economic opportunities, markets, and services; (ii) stronger institutions and human capacities; and (iii) increased environmental sustainability, climate change resilience, and disaster resilience. ADB operations will continue to focus on its three priority sectors—energy, transport, and agriculture and natural resources—based on its comparative advantages in the country, the government’s request for assistance in these areas, and lessons and recommendations from past engagement.