IMF Notes

Pushed to the Brink: Fragility and Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa

By Wenjie Chen, Michele Fornino, Vidhi Maheshwari, Hamza Mighri, Annalaura Maria Sacco, Can Sever

April 25, 2025

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Format: Chicago

Wenjie Chen, Michele Fornino, Vidhi Maheshwari, Hamza Mighri, Annalaura Maria Sacco, and Can Sever. "Pushed to the Brink: Fragility and Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa", IMF Notes 2025, 002 (2025), accessed April 27, 2025, https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229008792.068

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Summary

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to nearly half of the world’s fragile and conflict-affected states, where weak institutions and social cohesion, governance failures, and economic instability trap millions in poverty. Some countries have transitioned out of extreme fragility by implementing sound macroeconomic policies, diversifying the economy, and strengthening institutions. Sustaining these reforms, however, is challenging in the context of erratic growth, political instability, exposure to natural disasters, and heavy resource dependency—which tends to heighten vulnerability to price volatility and governance challenges. Meanwhile, weak domestic revenue mobilization and declining aid further hinder development. Without reforms and continued international support, fragility risks worsening regional instability and economic disruptions with global repercussions.

Subject: Economic and financial statistics, Food security, Health, Health care, Poverty, Regional economics

Keywords: Conf ict in Sub-Saharan Africa, Conflict, Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa, Economic development, Food security, Fragile and conflict-affected states, Fragility, Funding needs, Governance, Health care, IMF analysis, IMF note, Institutions, Note 2025/002, Political stability, Public finances, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sustainable economic growth

Publication Details

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