Infrastructure experts in Africa and from around the world will converge at the African Union headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, this month for the annual Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week to review infrastructure projects earmarked for implementation.

The conference is organised by the African Union Commission (AUC) in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA)- Nepad aimed at prioritising infrastructure development across the continent as provided for in AU’s Agenda 2063.

Agenda 2063 is billed as Africa’s Continental Master Plan for accelerated social and economic take off in the coming 40 years.

Meanwhile, Nepad or the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, was founded in 2002 as the pan-African strategic framework for the socio-economic development of the continent. It was officially adopted by the AU in 2002 as the primary mechanism to coordinate the pace and impact of Africa’s development in the 21st century. Its primary objective is to provide a new mechanism, spearheaded by African leaders.

In a statement signed by AUDA- Nepad director for economy infrastructure trade and regional integration, Amine Idriss Adoum, the conference dubbed the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week, will explores avenues for acceleration of the construction of infrastructure that have billed as critical for Africa’s socio-economic development.

As a move toward regional integration road, railway and air interlink are high on Agenda 2063 to raise intra-Africa trade and lower tariffs as a way of lowering the cost of doing business and deceleration o abject poverty.

AU says of its infrastructure aspirations: “Agenda 2063 emphasises the need for integration as one of the key foundations for ensuring Africa achieves its goals for inclusive and sustainable growth and development. Aspiration Two of Agenda 2063 places import on the need for Africa to develop world class infrastructure that criss-crosses Africa and which will improve connectivity through newer and bolder initiatives to link the continent by rail, road, sea and air and developing regional and continental power pools, as well as ICT.”

The conference will further provide a forum for stakeholders to review progress, discuss challenges and explore possible innovative solutions that will enhance infrastructure delivery on the continent.

Among the crucial key areas up for discussion are networking opportunities where policymakers, industry leaders, financiers and experts from across the continent and beyond come on board to fostering collaboration and partnerships.

The week will further embrace insightful sessions where a range of sessions, including panel discussions, workshops, and presentations, focusing on key infrastructure sectors such as transport, energy, water and ICT will be deliberated.

Resource mobilisation will be also part of the discussion where it will serve as a platform for mobilizing resources and investments for infrastructure projects, showcasing opportunities for socio-economic development. On knowledge sharing participants have the opportunity to share experiences, lessons captured, and best practices in infrastructure development.

Annually, PIDA Week is has a theme that aligns with the current priorities and challenges in African infrastructure development.

Already, past themes including regional integration, job creation, economic transformation and smart infrastructure have been discussed and this gas seen

 PIDA Week is seen ss a critical event for driving the continent’s infrastructure agenda as well as linking infrastructure development to broader themes of economic growth, regional integration and sustainable development.

It also plays a vital role in harnessing continental and regional infrastructure initiatives with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area or AfCFTA.

PIDA Week is classified as a pivotal to shaping the future of infrastructure development in Africa, promoting collaboration and innovation among diverse stakeholders.

This conference serves as a cornerstone for advancing infrastructure development across Africa since its inception in 2015 as a collaborative podium to bring together key stakeholders involved in PIDA.

• A Tell report / By Isaiah Andanje