Financing the Frontier: Inclusive Financial Sector Development in Fragility-Affected States in Africa

This think piece is a response to the recognition that inclusive financial market development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces new challenges. It argues that there is a triple justification for an increased focus on fragility-affected states in Africa (FASA). This think piece draws on extensive desk research of over 100 documents from recent literature on the topic; interviews with 35 key stakeholders including donors (multilateral, institutional and private), financial sector networks and think tanks, corporate and private sector actors, development actors, service providers, and financial service providers; the authors’ own experiences; good practices from development actors; and insights from direct participation in the June 2016 conference, ‘Financial Sector Development in African States Facing Fragile Situations’.