While infrastructure development has been identified as a major bottleneck that holds back Africa from accelerated economic and social growth – the continent with a population of over 1.5 billion – is making strides towards addressing the problem, according to a statement released by the African Union Commission (AUC) on November 5.

The commission says that, already 69 regional infrastructure projects set cost to some $16.1 billion are in line for financing in accordance with the second phase of infrastructure development for through Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week conference, scheduled to take place from November 25-29  2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is the headquarters of the African Union.

Through PIDA initiatives additional, 30 million people in Africa will have access to electricity, with information, communication and technology (ICT) broadband infiltration covering over 25 per cent of the continent against its initial target of 10 per cent.

PIDA will also construct thousands of kilometres of roads and railway to improve connectivity and accessibility – both new and existing ones being modernised to ease and hasten transportation. It is estimated that road and railway network construction will create over 160,000 direct and indirect jobs.

PIDA Week 2024 is a collaboration between AUC, African Union Development Agency and New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-Nepad) and the Ethiopian government with the backing of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The conference coincides with Ethiopia’s Green Mobility Expo 2024 that showcases potentiality and vast investment opportunities in infrastructure on the continent.

Besides AUC, the other financiers of the conference are the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and AUDA-Nepad aimed at advancing infrastructure development on the continent.

The conference will drive African infrastructure development agenda in line with the continent’s economic and social growth needs.

These projects are already being implemented across Africa as set out in the PIDA 10-year plan. The projects are part of Agenda 2063 – continent’s Marshall Plan for economic take off and elimination of extreme poverty.

According to planners, the conference underpinned by a raft of sub-themes that support multilateral cooperation, advocate for more funding of infrastructure projects, boost digital, sustainable and inclusive infrastructure, support green economy and facilitate stakeholders knowledge sharing that will increase the visibility of PIDA’s desired achievements

Among the crucial key areas to be discussed include networking opportunities where policymakers, industry leaders, financiers and experts in other fields on the continent and beyond will explore areas of collaboration and partnerships.

Every year, PIDA Week comes up a theme that aligns with the current priorities and challenges in African infrastructure development. Past themes include regional integration, job creation, economic transformation and smart infrastructure development.

This year’s theme is “Fostering resilient and inclusive infrastructure for Africa’s sustainable growth: leveraging transformative financing and regional integration” to address key sectors such as transport, energy, water and ICT.

Resource mobilisation will be also a part of the plenary discussion that will serve as a platform for mobilising resources and investments for infrastructure projects.

In a press release from AUDA-Nepad communications and advocacy head Ms Zipporah Maubane said over 1,000 participants are expected to attend the conference.

Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, Commissioner of African Union Infrastructure and Energy Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, chief executive AUDA-Nepad Nardos Bekele Thomas will be among speakers. The others are ministers in transport, ICT, energy and water from member-states, regional economic communities, international financing institutions, regional banks and foreign partners 

• A Tell report / By Isaiah Andanje