The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week began on Tuesday at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marking a crucial step in reshaping the continent’s infrastructure. This annual conference brings together African nations to assess progress and strategize on future development in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063, aiming to position Africa as a global economic leader by 2063.
In her opening remarks, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), emphasized PIDA Week’s role as a vital forum for advancing infrastructure projects. She highlighted the success of the 2022 Dakar Financing Summit and the 2023 launch of the PIDA First 10-Year Implementation Report, both of which have helped to define the continent’s infrastructure priorities.
Bekele-Thomas detailed the ambitious scope of PIDA’s second action plan (PAP 2), which includes 69 key projects across transport, energy, water, and ICT. Notable projects include the Grand Inga Hydropower Project, set to become the world’s largest electricity generation initiative, and the plan to create a navigable Nile River linking Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea.
Amani Abou-Zeid, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, stressed the importance of PIDA in driving Africa’s infrastructure development. She noted that through PIDA, nearly 30 million people have gained access to electricity, with significant progress in road networks and railway construction. Over 16,000 km of roads and 4,000 km of railways have been built, improving connectivity across the continent.
Abou-Zeid also pointed to PIDA’s role in Africa’s digital transformation, with more countries now achieving digital connectivity through optical fiber cables. She added that the AU has finalized a new Continental Policy to ensure future infrastructure projects are climate-resilient and sustainable.
As the conference progresses, experts and policymakers will work to finalize strategies that will deliver the infrastructure necessary for Africa’s long-term economic growth.
