Nairobi:Delays in implementing regional infrastructure projects are hindering Africa’s efforts to enhance connectivity and expand intra-African trade. Governments are being urged to improve project delivery and attract greater private-sector investment.
According to Kenya News Agency, Robert Tama Lisinge, Director of Technology, Innovation, Connectivity, and Infrastructure at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), highlighted that longstanding implementation challenges have left critical transport links incomplete, decades after regional infrastructure plans were conceived. He noted that more than 20% of the Trans-African Highway network, conceived in the 1970s, remains unfinished.
Lisinge also pointed out the limited implementation of projects under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), with only 15% of projects under its Short-Term Action Plan being implemented between 2000 and 2010. The slow pace of delivery coincides with an expected rise in demand for transport infrastructure following the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Research by ECA forecasts that African trade will increase by 20% between 2020 and 2040, necessitating upgrades to transport infrastructure to handle increased goods movement. Road freight demand is projected to rise from 201 million tonnes in 2019 to 403 million tonnes by 2030, requiring the upgrade of approximately 61,000 kilometers of critical transport links.
African countries have adopted several frameworks, including PIDA and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, to address infrastructure gaps. However, translating these commitments into completed projects remains challenging, with governments needing to improve implementation and encourage private-sector involvement.
Lisinge emphasized that Africa faces annual infrastructure investment needs estimated at $130 billion to $170 billion, while public debt averages 67% of GDP. This financial constraint highlights the need for private capital mobilization and innovative financing mechanisms to complement government spending.
He cautioned against viewing public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a universal solution, advocating for the assessment of individual projects to determine suitable financing models. Strengthening institutional capacity to manage infrastructure partnerships is also crucial, as weak frameworks and inadequate capacity can deter potential investors.
The ECA is supporting six African countries to build institutional capacity and address challenges in infrastructure project development and implementation. This support aims to enhance governments’ ability to prepare projects, mobilize resources, and align infrastructure commitments with national development priorities.
Lisinge concluded that robust regional transport networks are vital for unlocking the benefits of AfCFTA, as increased trade relies on reliable infrastructure connecting producers, markets, and consumers across borders.
