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FRIHUMSAM-Fri prosj.st. hum og sam

Peace Positive Private Sector Development in Africa (P3A)

Alternative title: Fredsfremmende Utvikling i Privat Sektor i Afrika

Awarded: NOK 12.0 mill.

There is increasing interest around the private sector as a sustainable development actor, but the ways that they support or undermine peace-positive outcomes remain unclear. Recognising the importance in understanding this, P3A is a first of its kind comparative research project studying how the private sector can both exacerbate and mitigate conflict in Africa. By creating, aggregating and analysing novel and existing data sources, we develop a geographically precise, continent-wide conflict sentiment dataset examining the actors, activities, and issues related to private sector and conflict. We then use this to explore how contextual risk factors related to institutional gaps, conflict faultlines, and conflictual bonds between networks of actors may exacerbate conflict; and how risk mitigation efforts by firms and policy actors may reduce the risk of conflict. We then examine these findings and the mechanisms linking risk factors, risk mitigation efforts and conflict in case studies of real world business-conflict systems, paying attention to planning and analysis; quality of collaborative engagement; and gender sensitivity. We conclude the project by synthesising findings to review and critique business and peace scholarship regarding the private sector in Africa, and communicate this to research, policy, practice and public audiences. Uniting field-leading researchers at PRIO, Stellenbosch University, the Wharton School of Business, Copenhagen Business School and the University of Oslo, P3A will identify how, and under what conditions, the private sector exacerbates or mitigates conflict in Africa.

Despite the accelerating interest in the private sector as a sustainable development actor, the conditions under which they support or undermine peace-positive outcomes remain unclear. Recognising the imperative to fill this knowledge gap, P3A constitutes a continent-wide comparative research project studying how the private sector can both exacerbate and mitigate conflict in Africa. Through the creation, aggregation and analysis of novel and extant data sources: WP1 measures conflict sentiment disaggregated by PRIO GRID cell year and by actors, activities, and issues to provide the first comprehensive dataset on the private sector and conflict for Africa. WP2 explores a range of contextual risk factors for conflict with a nexus to the private sector, focusing on institutional gaps, conflict faultlines, and conflictual bonds between networks of actors. WP3 explores conflict risk mitigation efforts by firms and policy actors, focusing on collaborative actions and initiatives. WP4 explores mechanisms linking risk factors, risk mitigation efforts and conflict in real world business-conflict systems, focusing on planning and analysis; quality of collaborative engagement; and gender sensitivity. WP5 synthesises findings to provide a novel empirical review and critique of the propositions of business and peace and related scholarship regarding the private sector in Africa, and amplifies research findings for diverse research, policy and practice audiences. P3A unites field-leading researchers and early career scholars at PRIO, Stellenbosch University, the Wharton School of Business, Copenhagen Business School and the Centre for Environment and Development. We produce 11 academic articles, 2 Datasets, 4 business conflict forums, a seminar series, a policy-practice report, and a high-level conference. In doing so we realise and communicate our objective of identifying how, and under what conditions, the private sector exacerbates or mitigates conflict in Africa.

Funding scheme:

FRIHUMSAM-Fri prosj.st. hum og sam