By Baboloki Semele
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The second annual session of the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Steering Committee wrapped up on August 28, 2024, with a renewed focus on accelerating the continent’s critical infrastructure projects. Held in Addis Ababa, the meeting brought together key stakeholders from across Africa, including representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The committee addressed the ongoing challenges facing the implementation of PIDA’s Priority Action Plan 2 (PAP2), which targets high-impact infrastructure projects essential to driving Africa’s economic growth and regional integration. The gathering also included input from Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and international partners such as GIZ, with discussions aimed at fast-tracking progress.
As the second phase of PIDA reaches its midpoint, Kamugisha Kazaura, Director for Infrastructure and Energy at the AUC and Co-chair of the Steering Committee, stressed the urgent need for resource mobilization. “Only half of the program’s timeline remains, and we need renewed energy and coordinated efforts to meet PIDA’s transformative objectives,” Kazaura urged.
Dr Towela Nyirenda-Jere, Head of Infrastructure, Digitalization, and Energy at AUDA-NEPAD, emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration between governments, development partners, and private sector investors. She noted that such collaboration would be critical to improving the bankability of PIDA projects, thereby attracting the funding and investment required for successful implementation.
Robert Lisinge, Officer in Charge of ECA’s Technology, Innovation, Connectivity, and Infrastructure Division, reaffirmed ECA’s support for PIDA PAP2. “ECA is committed to supporting the implementation of PIDA PAP2 and will continue backing initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market,” he said, emphasizing that coordination between stakeholders is key to achieving PIDA’s goals.
The Steering Committee meeting was informed by discussions from the PIDA Implementation Support Project (PISP), which met on August 27, 2024. This AfDB-funded initiative is dedicated to accelerating PIDA’s implementation, and the insights gained from the PISP session shaped the strategic plans and interventions discussed during the Steering Committee meeting.
Looking ahead, the outcomes of this session will be further explored during the 8th PIDA Week, set for late November 2024 in Addis Ababa. Under the theme
“Fostering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure for Africa’s Sustainable Growth: Leveraging Transformative Financing and Regional Integration,” the event will delve deeper into the future of infrastructure development across Africa.
PIDA’s commitment to building transport, energy, and ICT infrastructure across the continent remains vital to regional integration and economic development, with PAP2 laying the groundwork for a stronger, more connected Africa by 2030.
About PIDA: The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is a strategic framework designed to address Africa’s infrastructure challenges and drive sustainable economic development across the continent. Established by the African Union, PIDA aims to enhance regional integration and connectivity through the development of key infrastructure projects.
About PIDA PAP2: PIDA Priority Action Plan 2 (PAP2) covers the period from 2021 to 2030 and focuses on implementing high-impact infrastructure projects that are critical for Africa’s economic growth and integration. PAP2 builds on the successes of the first phase, targeting key areas such as transport, energy, and ICT infrastructure, with a goal of fostering regional integration and improving socio-economic outcomes across Africa.