This is the view of Dr Amani Abou-Zeid the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy. Speaking at the 2018 PIDA Week, Abou-Zeid noted that while there have been remarkable achievements on the continent, as far as infrastructure development is concerned, the scale of the challenge in infrastructure development calls for more accelerated implementation and innovation.

According to the World Bank, the poor state of infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa in respect of its electricity, water, roads and ICT, reduces national economic growth by two percent annually and reduces productivity by as much as 40 percent.

The Financing Gap

“Meeting Africa’s infrastructure needs and developing cost-effective infrastructure services requires significant investments,” the Commissioner said, adding the continent should turn its challenges in infrastructure development into an opportunity.

The financing gap in Africa for infrastructure development is estimated at between US$130 -170 billion per year.

“Despite encouraging investments on infrastructure, both at the domestic and international levels, which averages about US$75 billion per year, there is a need for significant increase in infrastructure investments on the continent,” Dr Abou-Zeid added.

Increased transboundary infrastructure projects

Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer of the NEPAD Agency, highlighted the need for Africa to accelerate the development of transboundary infrastructure projects for success. “We recognise that optimal solutions for continental problems lie in Regional Integration. We are getting there progressively, but we need to accelerate implementation if we want regional integration.

“It’s not a question of lack of financial resources; it is a question of lack of bankable projects and sound rules. So we need to do our homework,” said Dr Mayaki, adding that local, national and regional governance was key to the success Africa seeks in closing its infrastructure deficit.