Africa Ready To Walk The Infrastructure Journey As Experts Meet In Addis Ababa
Through PIDA initiatives additional 30 Million African now have access to electricity, with information communication technology (ICT).
BY ISAIAH ANDANJE
Even as infrastructure development tends to one of the bottlenecks hindering the African from growing, the continent is making tremendous strides towards addressing the setback.
Already 69 regional infrastructure set cost USD16.1Billion haw been identified for financing in accordance with the 2nd phase of the programme infrastructure development for Africa through programme for infrastructure development in Africa (PIDA) week conference in Addis Ababa slated late this month.
Through PIDA initiatives additional 30 Million African now have access to electricity, with information communication technology (ICT) broadband infiltration rising to over 25% against its initial target of 10%.
PIDA has also earmarked thousands of Kilometres of roads and railway links, both existing and new ones being modernized to not only ease but hasten transportation leading to creation of over 160,000 direct and indirect job vacancies.
PIDA week 2024, is a collaboration between the African union commission (AUC), African union development agency-NEPAD (AUDA NEPAD) and the federal democratic republic of Ethiopia through the patronage of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and which also falls in the same week within November that Ethiopia’s green mobility expo 2024 showcases its potentiality and exciting opportunities to lure investors in infrastructure advancement within the continent.
The event is organized 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 with its aim of advancing infrastructure development across the African continent.
The conference will steer the African infrastructure development agenda in line the continents sustainable growth needs.
This projects effects are already being implemented across Africa as crafted in the PIDA 10 year implementation report as part of the aspirations of Agenda 2063which has been key in pushing for the regional infrastructure projects.
It is worth noting that this event will encompass a series of sub themes that will be used to support multilateral cooperation, advocate for more funding of infrastructure projects, boost digital, sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.
Also 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 will include networking opportunities where policymakers, industry leaders, financiers, and experts from across the continent and beyond come on board to fostering collaboration and partnerships.
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 has seen PIDA Week being termed as 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.
This year’s theme: “Fostering resilient and inclusive infrastructure for Africa’s sustainable growth: leveraging transformative financing and regional integration” that will address key infrastructure sectors such as transport, energy, water, and ICT.
Resource mobilization 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.
In a Press release from the of AUDA-NEPAD communications and advocacy head Ms Zipporah Maubane over 1000 participants are expected to attend with key official remarks from the Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, African union commission (AUC) chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, commissioner of African union infrastructure and energy Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, chief executive AUDA-NEPAD Nardos Bekele Thomas with various ministers in transport, ICT, energy and water from across the continental divide, regional economic communities, international financing institutions, regional banks and various partners.
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