ABSTRACT
African economies remain poorly integrated: links in regional roads, rail, ICT, and power infrastructure networks are missing or weak; capacity at ports is constrained; and access to African airways is restricted. For development from the regional poles to diffuse to the other countries, the various countries need to be linked with networks of infrastructure. Integrating infrastructure can deliver economies of scale in production, support spatial integration, factor mobility, enabling market efficiency and trade.
The Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is the African joint continental infrastructure program. Implementation of PIDA will result in reduction in energy costs and increase in access, slash in transport costs and boost in intra-African trade, water and food security, and increase in global connectivity.
Two major constraints on the implementation of PIDA projects are project preparation and financing. African resource-exporting countries should lend their surplus export earnings to a soft loan fund to be utilized in financing PIDA projects. The Chinese Belt and Road Initiative is narrowing PIDA’s deficit. Ultimately, the success of PIDA rests on the shoulders of the leadership of the African Union Assembly, both collectively and individually.
