Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The 8th Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week commenced on 26 November 2024, under the theme “Fostering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure for Africa’s Sustainable Growth: Leveraging Transformative Financing and Regional Integration.” The event, held at the African Union Headquarters, was marked by welcoming remarks from H.E. Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission (AUC).
In her address, Commissioner Abou-Zeid highlighted the significance of PIDA Week as a platform to evaluate progress and strengthen commitments toward implementing Africa’s infrastructure agenda. She extended gratitude to Ethiopia’s government and people for hosting the event and emphasised the critical role infrastructure plays in achieving the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Key Achievements of PIDA
PIDA has made significant strides since its inception, with notable successes in advancing Africa’s infrastructure landscape. Key accomplishments include:
- Energy Access: Nearly 30 million people have gained access to electricity, increasing the continent’s electricity access rate to 44%.
- Transport Development: Over 16,000 kilometres of roads and 4,000 kilometres of railway lines have been developed.
- Digital Connectivity: Significant progress in optical fibre cable connectivity has driven Africa’s digital transformation.
Challenges in Financing Infrastructure
Despite these achievements, Commissioner Abou-Zeid acknowledged challenges in securing infrastructure financing. Only 3% of PIDA project funding has come from the private sector, far below the 16-19% benchmark seen in other regions. She called for improved strategies to mobilise private sector resources and enhanced government commitments to infrastructure budgets.
Climate Resilience and Future Policies
As Africa grapples with rapid urbanisation and climate change, the Commissioner underscored the need for infrastructure to be both climate-resilient and digitally integrated. Recent advancements, such as the adoption of the PIDA Quality Label (PQL) methodology and the development of a continental policy for smart and climate-resilient infrastructure, aim to ensure long-term sustainability and effectiveness.
Calls to Action
Concluding her address, Commissioner Abou-Zeid emphasised three priorities for PIDA’s continued success:
- Enhanced Coordination: Strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to boost implementation and negotiation power with financiers.
- Support for Regional Economic Communities (RECs): Accelerating project delivery through empowered regional bodies.
- Private Sector Engagement: Promoting public-private partnerships (PPPs) to mobilise additional resources and expertise.
This year’s PIDA Week not only celebrated the milestones achieved but also reinforced the collective resolve to address challenges and leverage transformative financing for a resilient and inclusive future.
