ADB-Afghanistan Partnership Strategy

The country operations business plan, 2017-2019 for Afghanistan extends the priorities under the country partnership strategy, 2009-2013 and the interim CPS, 2014-2015.

The key strategic directions for ADB will continue to focus on infrastructure development in transport, energy, and agriculture and natural resources. ADB has focused on these priority sectors since the Afghanistan government’s request in 2003 for donors to focus their assistance on three sectors. These sectors were consistent with the government’s Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) 2009-2013, particularly with its economic and social development pillar. To improve social and economic development, ANDS called for strategic interventions in, among other sectors, energy, transport, and water and irrigation.

The government has prepared a new Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF) for 2016-2021. Its ultimate objective is to attain self-reliance and move away from a dependence on donor assistance and international security expenditures. The goals of the ANPDF are to reduce poverty and improve the welfare of the Afghan people. The government seeks to create sustainable employment through seven priority areas, including agriculture (including irrigation, water management, and development of agriculture value chains), energy and infrastructure development, and regional integration, all of which feature in ADB’s current operations. The ANPDF is complemented by 12 national priority programs, including one for infrastructure. ADB investments in transport, energy, and agriculture and natural resources are consistent with the national priority program activities.