Sixteen priority Regional Infrastructure Projects in Africa are being showcased at a high level private and public sector Summit in the Senegalese capital. The Dakar Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development set for  June 14 to 15, convened today with a technical session officially opened by Prime Minister  Mrs Aminata Toure.

Hosted by President Macky Sall, who is also Chairperson of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC), the Summit aims to accelerate the mobilisation of financial support for the implementation of the high impact regional infrastructure projects in Africa.

Dakar Summit highlights the need to scale-up Africa’s domestic financial resource mobilisation. It provides a unique high-level platform to engage African leaders, business-persons, regulators and policy makers on specific aspects that have hampered the roll out of transformative regional projects across the continent.

Prime Minister Touré stressed that the isolation and small size of some  African countries requires regional solutions. She highlited a financing gap of  US$ 68 billion for  implementation of the Priority Action Plan of PIDA, as one of the major neccessities to mobilize both private and public sectors in innovative financing partnerships.

Structured in plenary discussion and breakaway session format, the two day meeting will discuss infrastructural challenges, technical capacities, financing, political and business sector commitment and a future road map. They will focus on the bankable sixteen projects and how best to galvanise public and private sector investment into the much needed infrastructural development in Africa.

NEPAD CEO Dr Ibrahim Mayaki said that Africa’s population wants concrete results. “This occasion is not just any other meeting. We are now in action mode,” said Dr Mayaki, who also thanked the various development partners, stakeholders, technical experts and business sector who played an important role in organising the Summit.

Dr Carlos Lopez, the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission (UNECA) cited electricity deficit, poor road transport networks, and lack of access to water as among some of the challenges presented by poor  infrastructure. He said these challenges presented the determination to overcome them.

Prime Minister Aminata Toure shaking hands with Mr Stanley Subramoney Chairperson of the NEPAD Business Foundation. Looking on is AUC Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr Elham Ebrahim 

Tomorrow June 15 President Macky Sall will officially launch the Summit, to be attended by some African Heads of State, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. 

Chairperson of the NEPAD Business Foundation, Mr Stanley Subramoney, who is part of the multi-sector collaboration and funders of the Summit, stressed the importance of private and public sector to constantly seek avenues to accelerate infrastructure growth.

Delegates at the Summit.

An action orientation Declaration is expected to come out of the Summit, which will map the way forward not only on financing and implementing the sixteen projects, but will also give momentum to the discourse and processes of infrastructure development in Africa.

To view the list of 16 Regional Infrastructure Projects click the link below

French: https://www.dropbox.com/s/edais9r7zveumsl/Brochure%20-%20V2VF.pdf

English: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0ndakdhvlivfxnl/DFS%20Brochure%20-%20English%20version.pdf