The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat recently hosted a critical webinar on funding infrastructure for continental trade and mobility. The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss transformative solutions to Africa’s infrastructure challenges.
Key Takeaways
– Infrastructure Deficit: Africa’s infrastructure deficit is mainly caused by fragmented road, air transport, and rail networks, unreliable energy supply, inefficient logistics systems, and limited digital connectivity.
– Funding Gap: Africa faces an annual infrastructure financing gap of approximately $130-170 billion, well beyond what governments can shoulder alone.
Innovative Solutions
The webinar explored multiple financing approaches, including:
1. Infrastructure Bonds: Afreximbank guarantees offering 8-10% returns
2. Pan-African Infrastructure Credit Rating System: to de-risk projects
3. Blended Finance Facilities: multilateral institutions absorb first-loss portions
Quotes from Experts
– Mr. Sidig Eltoum, CEO of Africa Prosperity Network: “Africa’s infrastructure deficit is mainly caused by fragmented road, air transport, and rail networks, unreliable energy supply, inefficient logistics systems, and limited digital connectivity. Infrastructure is not only a commercial opportunity but also a vehicle for long-term prosperity for Africa.”
– Mr. Eric Otoo, Finance Expert: “The One Dollar A Day project will have two parts: the commercial aspect and the social aspect. We need to be unified and take the steps now.”
– Mr. Emeka Uzomba, Director of Banking & Special Initiatives at Afreximbank: “As a bank, we have funded many infrastructure projects across the continent to help with the connectivity of goods and services on the continent.”
Addressing Movement and Connectivity Barriers
The webinar tackled challenges related to visa restrictions and border complexities that impede the free movement of people and goods across Africa. Experts highlighted the need for a fundamental shift in mindset to reimagine borders as bridges rather than barriers.
The Accra Compact 2025 Framework
The webinar built on the recent Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2025 in Accra, which culminated in the APD 2025 Compact—a clear framework of commitments among business leaders, heads of state, and development partners. The compact centres on commitments from governments, the private sector, and multilateral institutions to invest in transformative projects and create enabling environments through policy reform, regulatory streamlining, and project delivery.
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