Infrastructure: The Bedrock to Sustainable Development in Africa

The news of Africa’s development is gradually transforming. Six of the world’s fastest growing economies are in Africa! Democratic governance has been strengthened over the past five decades, enabling a platform for stable growth and prosperity in most parts of the continent.

Africa being the most diverse continent in the world. Added to that category is the fact that 75% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25. This growing youth population, most of which has access to modern and rapid communications systems, and requires instant results, could impact adversely on the African countries if social inequality and the current systems of government are not revised.

Antonio Estache and Grégoire Garsous, both experts in Infrastructure Investment in Africa, state in their literal notes on “The impact of infrastructure on growth in developing countries” that there is, indeed, a plethora of anecdotal and more technical evidence that better quantity and quality of infrastructure can directly raise the productivity of human and physical capital and hence growth. For example, transport access can improve education and markets for farmers’ outputs and others by cutting costs, facilitating private investment, improving jobs and income levels for many.

Also, James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank Group delivered an eloquent remark oncc October 31 2001, that “Infrastructure remains the bedrock on which economic growth and development thrive” He discusses the strong support the Bank gives to the African Transport Policy Program (SSATP) and its remarkable results. He states that currently, the 5 components of the program include the Road Management Initiative, the Rural Travel and Transport Program, Urban Mobility, Trade and Transport, and Railways Restructuring.

The Public and Private sector has a significant role to play, government policies has to be reviewed and amended so as to attract investors, bringing about increased industries; thereby boost the GDP of the African Continent.