The World Bank’s Fragility Forum 2026 concluded this week with a clear and urgent message from global leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs: without sustained job creation and stronger partnerships, particularly at the local level, efforts to stabilize fragile and conflict-affected regions will fall short.
Over three (3) days of high-level panels and discussions, the forum brought together voices from government, the private sector, and international organizations to confront one of the most pressing global challenges: how to move countries from cycles of conflict toward resilience and long-term development.
Private Sector at the Centre of Stability
A recurring theme throughout the forum was the indispensable role of the private sector in rebuilding economies emerging from conflict.
“Jobs only come from the private sector,” said Patrick Achi, former Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, underscoring a point echoed across multiple sessions. Drawing from his country’s recovery following a decade-long political crisis, Achi detailed how strategic investments and a return of investor confidence helped generate nearly three million jobs and dramatically increase foreign direct investment.
His message was unequivocal: while governments can create enabling environments, they cannot single-handedly generate employment at the scale required. “Without jobs, there is no peace, no development, and no stability,” he said.
Entrepreneurs on the Frontlines
That reality was brought into sharp focus by entrepreneurs operating in some of the world’s most fragile environments.
Basima Abdulrahman, founder and CEO of a solar energy company in Iraq, described the challenges of building a business in a post-conflict setting. Her company, established after the defeat of ISIS, has grown despite persistent instability, supply chain disruptions, and limited institutional support.
“We are generating sustainable jobs, and that is an investment in stability,” she said. “When everyone leaves during conflict, we show up.”
Abdulrahman emphasized that private sector actors often operate without safety nets, navigating political, economic, and security risks simultaneously. Yet their work plays a critical role in preventing young people from turning to armed groups or illicit activities.
Similarly, Roland Fomundam, founder of an agricultural enterprise in Cameroon, highlighted innovative approaches to engaging youth in agriculture. By introducing greenhouse farming and establishing training academies, his organization is working to modernize agriculture and make it attractive to younger generations.
“We had to rethink agriculture entirely,” Fomundam said, noting that traditional methods no longer appeal to youth. His model integrates financing, training, and market access, addressing multiple barriers simultaneously.
The Employment Imperative
Across discussions, employment emerged as the linchpin connecting economic recovery, social stability, and long-term peace.
Participants pointed to a looming demographic challenge, particularly in Africa, where hundreds of millions of young people are expected to enter the workforce in the coming decades. Without sufficient job creation, experts warned, fragile states risk renewed instability.
“Just a small amount of money in the wrong hands can pull young people into conflict,” Achi cautioned, emphasizing the importance of providing viable economic alternatives.
Partnerships: From Global to Local
While the private sector took center stage, speakers stressed that no single actor can address fragility alone. Partnerships, especially those rooted in local communities, were identified as critical to scaling impact.
David Miliband, President of the International Rescue Committee, highlighted the importance of engaging affected populations directly. “The primary authors of change are the people who live in these communities,” he said, advocating for development models that prioritize local knowledge and leadership.
Carl Skau of the World Food Programme echoed this sentiment, noting that humanitarian challenges have grown dramatically in recent years, with hundreds of millions facing acute food insecurity. At the same time, resources are shrinking, making collaboration essential.
“The only solution is partnership,” Skau said.
He highlighted instances where partnerships between private-sector entities and local governments facilitated swift crisis intervention. These efforts ranged from the restoration of market mechanisms during periods of instability to the distribution of urgent food assistance within zones of conflict.
Notably, Skau emphasized the often-overlooked role of local businesses. “After a war, the first thing that comes back is the market,” he said, arguing that supporting local economies is key to breaking cycles of dependency on aid.
Innovation and Foresight
The forum also showcased emerging tools aimed at improving decision-making in fragile contexts.
A collaboration between academic institutions and development organizations introduced a new data-driven platform designed to anticipate risks and strengthen resilience. By combining artificial intelligence with global data, the initiative aims to help governments and institutions identify vulnerabilities before crises escalate.
Speakers stressed that anticipating challenges, rather than reacting to them, can significantly reduce both human and financial costs.
A Shift in Mindset
Beyond specific solutions, the Fragility Forum underscored the need for a broader shift in how fragility is addressed.
Participants called for moving away from siloed approaches toward integrated strategies that combine humanitarian aid, development, and private sector engagement. This includes rethinking how funding flows, ensuring resources reach those most in need, and aligning policies with on-the-ground realities.
Entrepreneurs like Abdulrahman made a direct appeal to policymakers: create an enabling environment and reduce bureaucratic barriers.
“We’re not asking for funding,” she said. “We’re asking for space to operate.”
Looking Ahead
The forum’s closing consensus was clear: establishing durable peace in fragile environments transcends political or humanitarian efforts; it is, at its core, an economic imperative.
To move forward, attendees emphasized three pillars:
- Cultivating resilient local economies.
- Empowering community-level stakeholders.
- Developing partnerships that integrate international expertise with indigenous knowledge.
With the global landscape increasingly defined by climate-induced disruptions and violent unrest, the urgency has never been greater. As one participant pointedly noted, “There is no lasting peace without jobs”.
The path forward, participants agreed, lies in empowering local actors, fostering resilient economies, and building partnerships that bridge global expertise with local insight.
The stakes are unprecedented as the world grapples with growing instability, ranging from climate-driven shocks to violent conflict.
And as one speaker put it succinctly: “There is no lasting peace without jobs.”
Written by H.E. Olivier Noudjalbaye Dedingar, Global Peace Ambassador and USA/UN Correspondent.
