Infrastructure Africa: Unlocking the Potential of Infrastructural Transformation in the Continent

Johannesburg, 11th July 2018: The rapid pace of infrastructural development in the continent has made a significant contribution to the economic turnaround that Africa has experienced in recent years. Even though headed in the right direction with regards to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals, Africa’s growth potential in infrastructural development must be explored further. This is necessary to augment the scale of current economic efforts and ensure that Africa’s 1 billion inhabitants are equally able to benefit from incoming investment and employment opportunities.

At present, African nations collectively spend $45 billion per annum on infrastructure however; experts suggest that this figure should be raised to $93 billion per year to secure a prosperous and stable future for the region. Infrastructural development has had a significant impact on the continent and this progress will be honoured by hosting a 2-day Infrastructure Africa Business Forum. The event will be hosted on the 9^th and 10^th October 2018 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg– the financial hub of economic activity in Africa.

The objective of this mega symposium is to assemble Africa’s infrastructure think tanks from the public and private sector to discuss unexplored strategies, opportunities and avenues for advancement. The convention comprises of three fundamental pillars – the Infrastructure Africa Business Forum, African Infrastructure Ministerial Roundtable and Exhibition Showcase, each of which have been designed to support the diverse interests of stakeholders.

The exclusive ministerial panel to be held on day 1 will shed light on how infrastructure development in Africa can serve as a driver of economic growth. The premise of this dialogue is based on understanding the governmental perspective on the subject and bridging the gap between public sector and private sector aspirations. The Africa Agenda 2063 is expected to be an influential panel of the conference featuring renowned infrastructure CEOs who will present their outlook on the subject.

The region has undoubtedly surpassed the expectations of many in meeting infrastructural goals, nevertheless it remains imperative to investigate the challenges and achievements of this arena. This topic has been selected to enlighten prospective investors on the nuances of Africa’s economic dynamics. The convention will also feature discussions and expert panels on other noteworthy themes such as how to secure capital and funding for development projects, establishing and sustaining long-term private sector partnerships and understanding the role of state owned corporations to unlock the potential of the region’s manufacturing sector and industries.

The event will place great emphasis on key industry sectors, namely Water, ICT & Telecoms, Energy, Finance and Transport. In so doing, the associated obstacles, solutions and potential for growth in each sector will be intricately explored.

Tenders regarding development projects are known to be an issue among industry players. In response to these concerns, dialogues will be held concerning how infrastructure developers can access tender information for new projects, what is required of them to meet expectations as well as project management processes required to meet the necessary deadlines.

The symposium will also support the insightful dialogue on matters of project bankability and due diligence, the digitisation of Africa and the unparalleled role of transport and logistics infrastructure in supporting business activity. Furthermore, discussions around improving policies and regulations related to infrastructure will be conducted so to enhance investor confidence in the sphere. To help participants receive pragmatic knowledge about African economies, the forum has prepared panels featuring presentations on Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya and Sierra Leone.

2018’s exciting and engaging schedule of Infrastructure Africa Business Forum will conclude with a plenary panel addressing the role of DFIs in cementing infrastructural progress in the region followed by a keynote speech on the PIDA Priority Action Plan, intended to spark an infrastructural revolution in Africa.

Infrastructure Africa will become a yardstick for similar conferences and events by empowering African Infrastructure participants to enter a new age of innovation, technology, competitiveness and sustainability. The conference will not only provide a multitude of opportunities for government, policy makers, industrial leaders, potential investors and construction firms, but for anyone invested in the sector, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic development by and large.