How African Economies Rebuild After Armed Conflicts

Africa is one of the regions most affected by armed conflicts, which significantly slow economic growth. As a result, the stability of these countries is weakened, increasing their vulnerability. Once a conflict ends, a country faces the challenge of rebuilding its economy. But how can economic recovery be achieved after such devastation? What mechanisms can help rebuild economic growth?

Drawing on existing scientific evidence, our study identifies several possible post-conflict trajectories. In most cases, countries affected by conflict gradually recover and eventually return to their pre-conflict economic levels. In other, less common cases, the recovery process is so successful that economic performance surpasses the level observed before the conflict. Finally, the worst-case scenario occurs when a country remains trapped in a cycle of conflict  and instability, preventing any sustainable economic recovery.

Unfortunately, armed conflicts remain frequent across the African continent. As a result, African countries have developed a remarkable capacity for economic resilience in the face of such shocks. The continuous process of reconstruction experienced by many African economies provides valuable insights into the conditions necessary for post-conflict recovery and the pathways toward achieving lasting peace.

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Article reference

Bibliographical references

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• Collier, P. and Hoeffler, A. (2004b). Aid, policy and growth in post-conflict societies. European Economic Review, 48(5):1125–1145.