This bite-sized module captures the inspiring opening message from the African Development Bank’s dissemination workshop on national capacity development strategies for Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Somalia, and South Sudan. It highlights the Bank’s strong commitment to national ownership, inclusive collaboration, and sustainable development rooted in locally led solutions. The speaker underscores the urgent need to strengthen institutions and invest in human capital to help countries navigate fragility, internal conflicts, global shocks, and structural challenges. The strategies being discussed are a product of participatory processes involving governments, civil society, academia, and private sector stakeholders—each bringing vital perspectives to shape resilient national systems. 

Emphasizing implementation over shelf-ready reports, the message calls for actionable commitment from all stakeholders. The strategies are not generic templates but country-specific roadmaps aligned with national priorities, contextual realities, and development aspirations. Peer learning, harmonized donor support, and a shared responsibility to implement and integrate these strategies into national planning and budgeting are central to success. Ultimately, the African Development Bank reiterates its readiness to walk this journey alongside countries, ensuring the strategies become dynamic tools for transformation—building stronger institutions, fostering inclusive growth, and delivering lasting impact for current and future generations.