Infrastructure

Infrastructure development is a key driver for progress across the African continent and a critical enabler for productivity and sustainable economic growth. Nevertheless, underdeveloped infrastructure continues to be a binding constraint on sustainable development.

Furthermore, AfCFTA must not be constrained by infrastructure deficits and the fragmentation of supply chains. The vast infrastructure gap in Africa, including transport and utilities infrastructure, must be urgently addressed so as not to restrict increased trade integration. ACCS believes that closing Africa’s infrastructure gaps by unlocking the flow of investment is badly needed. Currently, African countries are not sufficiently investing in connectivity and infrastructure, which significantly hampers regional trade.

To reverse this pattern, a massive and strategic investment in connectivity and infrastructure is essential. There is no universal recipe for industrialisation. African countries need to design their own economic development strategy and industrial policy that fits their unique circumstances.
One of the major actions taken by ACCS in 2020 was to partnership with Regional Economic communities and development banks to assist them raising the capital and the fund needed to have the necessary infrastructure in place to support Africa’s development which includesrailways, roads, bridges, ICT and digital economy in areas currently difficult to access, thus
opening up access to millions of people in Africa.