Call-for-Proposals

Prevention Envelope of the Transition Support Facility (TSF)
From April 24 to July 15, 2026

The Transition States Coordination Office (RDTS) of the African Development Bank Group (the ‘Bank’) is pleased to announce the launch of the following Call-for-Proposals (CfP) under the Prevention Envelope of the Transition Support Facility (TSF), implemented within the seventeen-replenishment cycle of the African Development Fund (ADF-17).

Overview of the TSF Prevention Envelope

The Prevention Envelope represents a strategic evolution in the TSF. It was introduced in 2023 and operationalized during the ADF-16 cycle, in line with the Bank’s Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa (2022-2026).It is also strongly aligned with the Ten Year Strategy (TYS), which perceives peace and security as public goods, as well as the strategic ambitions of the Bank’s Four Cardinal Points (CP). It prioritizes early implementation and long-term resilience building, targeting potential vulnerabilities at institutional, community, and economic levels.

The Prevention Envelope focuses on upstream, anticipatory, and risk-informed interventions that address structural drivers of fragility before they escalate into crises. It supports results-oriented and peace-positive investments that strengthen local capacities, reinforce trust in institutions, and reduce exposure to shocks. This approach reflects the principle that prevention is the most cost-effective and sustainable pathway to peace, stability, and development. The aim is to further promote integrated approaches across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus (HDP) and advance regional and cross-border interventions where fragility risks transcend national boundaries. Through strategic partnerships, co-financing, and a mix of financial instruments, the Prevention Envelope seeks to maximize impact, scale proven solutions, and catalyze transformative change in fragile and high-risk environments.

The 2024 Revised Operational Guidelines of the TSF provide the overarching framework governing the operational modalities of the Prevention Envelope.

Core Thematic Areas and Cross-Cutting Considerations

This Call for Proposals (CfP) under the TSF Prevention Envelope focuses onthree core thematic areasselected and agreed during the ADF-17 discussion: (1) Food Security and Resilient Food Systems; (2) Enhanced Economic Governance and Institutional Resilience; and (3) Private Sector Development and Job Creation. These thematic areas address interrelated structural challenges that are characteristic of fragile settings and closely linked to the onset, persistence, or escalation of crises.

The CfP adopts a prevention-oriented approach to address these interlinked risks. Strengthening resilient food systems reduces vulnerability to shocks; enhancing economic governance improves institutional capacity and accountability; and promoting private sector development and job creation expands inclusive economic opportunities. Together, these considerations aim to mitigate the structural pressures that drive instability, displacement, and irregular migration, contributing to sustained resilience and stability.

In line with ADF-17 policy commitments, proposals are encouraged to contribute to the development, operationalization, or implementation of National Prevention Strategies or equivalent national prevention frameworks. This is intended to serve as a central policy instrument for addressing structural drivers of fragility, strengthening anticipatory and risk-informed governance, and enhancing institutional capacities for prevention. In countries where a national prevention framework has already been adopted, proposals should clearly articulate how project activities align with and contribute to the implementation of the framework’s priorities. In countries where such a framework is under development or not yet operational, proposals are expected to incorporate activities that support its formulation, updating, or operationalization, including through strengthened early warning systems, risk analysis capacities, anticipatory action mechanisms and action plan for the strategy.

Core Thematic Areas

1. Food Security and Resilient Food Systems

Food insecurity remains a chronic and destabilizing force across Africa. While conflict is rarely driven by a single factor, evidence shows that food insecurity can significantly contribute to instability by deepening grievances, intensifying competition over land and water, and amplifying the impacts of climate and economic shocks. Rising food prices, income loss, unemployment, and climate-related disruptions to food systems are key structural drivers linking food insecurity and conflict.

This thematic area is closely aligned with CP 3 (Turn Demographics into a Dividend) by tackling rural challenges through investments in productive employment, SME development, and income-generating activities, particularly for youth and women. It also advances CP 4 (Build Resilient Infrastructure and Competitive Value Chains) by reinforcing agricultural value chains end-to-end, spanning logistics corridors, storage infrastructure, and processing capacity.

Therefore, proposals under this thematic area should aim to advance food availability, access, utilization, and stability in ways that are preventive, conflict-sensitive, and peace-positive, while addressing these structural drivers. Priority interventions may include strengthening anticipatory and climate-resilient food systems, including through forecast-based financing and early warning action; promoting equitable and sustainable natural resource management to reduce resource-related conflict; and reinforcing local, national, and regional food systems and market linkages to mitigate food price volatility and livelihood shocks. In pastoral contexts, proposals should also consider how livestock markets, export corridors, and cross-border trade can serve as stabilizing economic infrastructure.

1. Economic Governance and Institutional Resilience

Weak institutions remain significant drivers of instability across Africa, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. When institutions lack the capacity, transparency, or legitimacy to manage public resources, regulate economic activity, and deliver services equitably, grievances deepen and trust between citizens and the state erodes. Economic mismanagement, corruption, illicit financial flows, and exclusionary economic policies can exacerbate inequality, undermine social cohesion, and heighten vulnerability to economic and political shocks. Particular attention should be given to strengthening anticipatory governance systems, including early warning, risk monitoring, and preventive policy responses.

This thematic area is closely aligned with CP 2 (Rebuild Africa’s Financial Sovereignty) and the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD) by supporting policy reforms that strengthen key economic governance systems in countries. It also indirectly advances CP 1 (Unlock Africa Capital Power) as strong economic institutions will inform capital allocation decision in countries and strengthen long term sustainability rather than exacerbating fragilities.

Proposals under this thematic area should aim to mobilize and utilize public and private resources in ways that are preventive, conflict-sensitive, and peace-positive. Examples of targeted proposals include improvement of macroeconomic management, more equitable resource distribution, healthier fiscal positions, and strengthened state capacity. This may include efforts to support resilient labor markets, inclusive economic policies, and constructive international engagement that enhances domestic economic management. Institutional resilience refers to the capacity of state institutions to anticipate, absorb, adapt to, and withstand the risks of conflict and economic shocks. Proposals may include efforts to strengthen public financial management, domestic capital mobilization, and oversight systems; reinforce accountability and integrity in financial, trade, and customs governance; improve coordination and implementation of economic policy at national, subnational, and regional levels; and strengthen the rule of law.

Overall, supported actions should demonstrate a clear contribution to reducing structural economic risks, reinforcing state–society relations, and sustaining long-term stability. Regional cooperation and integration efforts, particularly those aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), are encouraged where they reinforce institutional resilience, economic inclusion, and stability.

1. Private Sector Development and Job Creation

Sustainable peace and resilience in fragile and high-risk environments depend on the expansion of inclusive, productive, and decent economic opportunities, particularly for youth and women. This thematic area seeks to support initiatives that strengthen the foundations for private sector–led growth by mobilizing capital at scale, reducing investment risks, and enabling resilient economic transformation as a driver of prevention, stability, andpeace. It also emphasizes the deployment of innovative financing mechanisms that crowd in private capital and unlock investment opportunities in fragile contexts

This thematic area is strongly aligned with CP 1 (Unlock Africa’s Capital Power) by promoting innovative financing mechanisms that channel capital into productive sectors, promotes de-risk investments, and strengthen partnerships with financial institutions and investors in fragile contexts. It also advances CP 3 (Turn Demographics into a Dividend) by generating inclusive economic opportunities, particularly for youth and women, through entrepreneurship and innovation support, skills development, and the growth of MSMEs.

Therefore, proposals under this thematic should aim to transform enabling economic and financial systems by addressing structural barriers that constrain productive economic participation and private investment in fragile contexts. Illustrative interventions may include but are not limited to formalization of informal economic activities; demand-based support to MSMEs and youth-led enterprises; promotion of digitalization, innovation, and technology; development of regional value chains and cross-border trade; and partnerships with financial intermediaries and financing platforms. Priority will be given to initiatives that expand equitable economic participation for youth and women, strengthen entrepreneurship and enterprise ecosystems, improve conditions for private investment, and develops innovative local financing channels such as such as remittance-based instruments and community-based investment schemes. Proposals are encouraged to incorporate measures to enhance the economic inclusion in displacement settings, including support for legal work rights, access to finance with nontraditional identification, cross border recognition of skills and asset certifications, and improved market linkages for both forcibly displaced persons and host communities. Proposals should make use of partnerships, co-financing, promote innovative financing, and strengthen regional economic integration. It’s also important to ensure alignment with continental and regional frameworks, such as the AfCFTA, when applicable.

Cross-Cutting Considerations

• Prevention and peace-positive programming, including conflict sensitivity, ‘Do No Harm’ principles, and explicit pathways linking interventions to risk reduction, social cohesion, and trust-building.
• Alignment with existing national prevention prioritiesincluding coherence with existing or emerging National Prevention Strategies, fragility assessments, or early warning frameworks.
• Regional scope of proposals,covering multiple countries that share similar and/or cross border fragility issues and insecurity risks, through targeted regional cooperation and transborder initiatives.
• Youth employment, jobs, and skills, aligning with the Bank’sJobs for Youth in Africa Strategyand focusing on market-relevant training and integration into priority value chains.
• Gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, aligning with the Bank’sGender Strategyand including targeted support to women-led enterprises and access to finance, technology, and markets.
• Climate resilience and environmental sustainability, aligning with the Bank’sClimate Change and Green Growth Strategic Framework ,particularly in relation to climate-induced fragility risks.
• Inclusion of vulnerable populations, including women, youth, disabled, marginalized communities, forcibly displaced persons, returnees, and host communities.
• Community-based and human-centred approaches, ensuring local ownership, participation, and sustainability.

Funding and Resources

The prevention envelope funding maintains a ceiling of UA 20 million per project. Resources can be implemented through the full range of financial instruments available under the ADF, ranging from sovereign investment operations to program-based operations and guarantees. To achieve synergies and maximize results, it is also encouraged to consider a combination of different instruments that encompass direct investments, accompanying reforms, and institutional capacity building.

Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate strong catalytic potential by mobilizing public and/or private investment and leveraging additional resources through external co-financing. TSF resources should be used strategically to de-risk investments, crowd in capital, and maximize impact beyond the initial allocation. Structured partnerships with multilateral institutions, bilateral financiers, government counterparts, and private sector entities will be viewed favorably, particularly where proposals demonstrate clear financial additionality, credible leverage, and pathways to scale and sustainability.

Country Eligibility

The TSF Prevention Envelope offers merit-based support to all ADF-eligible countries. The list below provides the countries eligible for this CfP, along with their associated financing terms in 2026. It also highlights the countries identified by the Bank as transition states under ADF-17. For information on financing terms, applicants may consult the Bank’s Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Department (FIRM).

1. Countries with a choice between VHCLs or Grants.
2. Countries with a mix of 70% VHCL and 30% Grants.

Project Proposal Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, applications must meet the following pre-requisites:

1. Be submitted with a formal request letter/s or other documentary evidence demonstrating endorsement by Bank’s Governor or the Governor’s designated representative (usually Minister of Finance and Economic Planning) of beneficiary countries, as well as alignment with relevant national and/or regional priorities. Multi-country proposals that will be supported by regional economic communities may obtain endorsement from the head of the concerned regional body.
2. Be anchored within a Bank sectoral unit and submitted by a Bank Task Manager. External applicants are responsible for engaging in early coordination with the relevant sectoral units and Task Managers within the Bank to support and facilitate submission and subsequent processing.

NB:Proposals prepared in coordination with UN Agencies for a given country are encouraged to be limited to a maximum of three applications and be endorsed by the respective Resident Coordinator’s Office.

Selection Criteria

A selection process will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria to identify projects with strong potential to generate impactful results, prevent fragility and conflict, and contribute to resilience, social cohesion, and sustainable development.

1. Relevance to Fragility and Conflict – While aligning with the thematic areas, proposals should demonstrate a clear understanding of fragility dynamics affecting the target context and show strong alignment with the objectives of the TSF Prevention Envelope. Strong proposals will articulate how the proposed activities address structural drivers of fragility and contribute to prevention outcomes, including strengthening resilience, reducing vulnerability to shocks, and reinforcing social cohesion. Proposals should also demonstrate alignment with national development priorities and relevant regional frameworks where applicable.

1. Integration of a National Prevention Strategy –Emphasis will be placed on proposals that support countries in developing, updating, or operationalizing National Prevention Strategies or equivalent national frameworks. Where such frameworks already exist, proposals should demonstrate clear alignment and explain how the proposed activities operationalize national prevention priorities. In contexts where these frameworks are under development or not yet in place, proposals should include concrete actions that contribute to their formulation and/or implementation. Strong proposals will show how these efforts strengthen early warning, risk analysis, and anticipatory action mechanisms, translating prevention frameworks into improved resilience, livelihoods, and protection outcomes for vulnerable populations, including refugees, forcibly displaced persons, and host communities.

1. Impact and Transformative Potential – Proposals should demonstrate strong potential to generate transformative and measurable development outcomes. Successful proposals will clearly define expected results, including improvements in resilience, livelihoods, institutional capacity, and social stability. They should provide credible pathways showing how project activities will contribute to reducing fragility risks and delivering sustainable benefits for target communities (particularly forced displaced), institutions, or regions. Proposals that demonstrate potential for broader systemic impact or policy influence will be particularly valued.
2. Integrated and Community-Based Solutions – Proposals that adopt integrated approaches across the three thematic areas will receive priority consideration. Strong proposals will demonstrate how interventions address interconnected fragility drivers through coordinated actions at local, national, or regional levels. Particular attention will be given to projects that incorporate community-based approaches, strengthen local ownership, and address fragility risks in border areas or hotspot regions. Successful proposals will also highlight partnerships and collaboration mechanisms that support regional stability and cross-border cooperation.
3. Sustainability and Scalability – Proposals should demonstrate a credible strategy for sustaining results beyond the project implementation period. Strong proposals will outline how project benefits will be maintained through institutional strengthening, policy reforms, capacity development, or financial sustainability mechanisms. Proposals that show potential for scaling-up successful interventions, replication in other fragile contexts, or integration into broader national or regional programs will receive favorable consideration.
4. Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement – Proposals should demonstrate strong collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including local governments, regional organizations, civil society actors, private sector partners, and local communities. Successful proposals will clearly describe how stakeholders are involved in project design, implementation, and oversight. Particular attention will be given to partnerships that leverage complementary expertise, enhance coordination across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, and strengthen collective impact in fragile and conflict-affected environments.
5. Financial Viability and Co-Financing – Proposals should present a realistic budget and financial plan demonstrating efficient use of TSF funds and compliance with the 7% administration fees ceiling. Strong proposals will demonstrate the use of innovative financial instruments and leverage co-financing arrangements with private sector partners, other multilateral institutions and regional development banks, aligned with the Bank’s CP1. Task Managers are also encouraged to build on existing MOUs and co-financing frameworks within the Bank, in coordination with the Syndications and Client Solutions Department (FIST), to maximize financial additionality and development impact.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation – Proposals should include a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track implementation progress, measure outcomes, and ensure accountability. Strong proposals will define clear and realistic quantitative and qualitative indicators, accompanied by appropriate data collection methods and reporting arrangements. Where possible, proposals should incorporate disaggregated data by gender, age, displacement status, and geography to support inclusive results measurement and to align with ADF-17’s strengthened focus on results in fragile contexts.

1. Risk Assessment and Mitigation – Proposals should demonstrate a thorough assessment of potential risks affecting project implementation, particularly in fragile and insecure operating environments. Successful proposals will identify credible mitigation measures addressing security risks, governance challenges, operational constraints, and contextual uncertainties, including in de facto situations. Proposals should also explain how implementation arrangements will strengthen resilient institutions, enhance transparency and accountability, and ensure adherence to ethical and governance standards.

1. Technology and Innovation–Proposals should demonstrate how innovative approaches and/or technologies enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability of the intervention. Innovation may involve the use of digital tools, data systems, geospatial technologies, mobile platforms, or new operational models that strengthen service delivery, early warning, risk monitoring, or market access. Strong proposals will explain how these innovations contribute to prevention outcomes, improve resilience, and remain accessible, sustainable, and appropriate for fragile and high-risk environments.

Timeline

The timeline of the CfP process is as follows:

• Launch of the CfP: April 23, 2026
• Application Deadline: July15, 2026
• Announcement of Selection Results: successful proposals will be announced by Q4 2026.

Due to high volume of applications expected, the Bank will be able to provide individual updates to all applicants regarding the status of their submissions. Only successful applications will receive notification emails following the announcement of the selection results.