As the crisp November air settles over Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the city will soon become a hive of transformative discussions and high-stakes decision-making that will shape Africa’s infrastructure landscape. From November 25 to November 29, 2024, the African Union Headquarters will host the much-anticipated Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week, an event set to define Africa’s pathway to sustainable growth.
Bringing together over 1,000 participants, including prominent leaders, policymakers, and financiers from across the continent and beyond, this weeklong event marks a pivotal step toward realizing Africa's Agenda 2063 – a shared vision of prosperity, unity, and sustainable development.
PIDA, an ambitious initiative of the African Union, plays a fundamental role in driving regional infrastructure projects across Africa. Now in its second phase, the program has already laid the groundwork for a transformative infrastructure agenda that prioritizes energy, transport, water, and information and communication technology (ICT).
This year’s theme, “Fostering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure for Africa’s Sustainable Growth: Leveraging Transformative Financing and Regional Integration,” not only captures the urgency of Africa’s infrastructure needs but also the collaborative spirit driving its realization.
The upcoming PIDA Week is a result of strategic planning and collaboration between the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Under the patronage of Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Abiy Ahmed, this year’s event coincides with Ethiopia’s Green Mobility Expo 2024, reflecting an increasing synergy between infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.
With infrastructure in Africa historically lagging behind other regions due to funding gaps and logistical challenges, PIDA Week serves as a dynamic platform to promote financing solutions, secure investment, and celebrate Africa’s infrastructure achievements.
A Vision Anchored in Impactful Growth
PIDA has not only set lofty goals but has already made measurable strides in key sectors. According to the PIDA 10-Year Implementation Report, initiatives under this program have connected an additional 30 million Africans to electricity, boosting accessibility to essential power for homes, businesses, and schools.
Broadband internet penetration in Africa has soared beyond the initial target, now covering over 25 percent of the population – a key milestone in bridging Africa’s digital divide and accelerating e-commerce, online education, and digital services. Additionally, thousands of kilometers of modernized road and rail links are creating economic corridors that connect communities, foster trade, and stimulate local economies.
These achievements are not just statistics; they represent real lives transformed by access to essential services. The expansion of electricity access has created over 160,000 direct and indirect jobs across the continent, providing livelihoods and building local economies. Improved ICT infrastructure has empowered young African entrepreneurs to innovate and connect with global markets. PIDA Week 2024 will dive into these success stories, showcasing the tangible progress made and exploring ways to amplify these impacts.
Key Themes and Dialogues for Sustainable Development
PIDA Week 2024 is more than an event – it is a catalyst for action. This year, the agenda expands beyond infrastructure to include an array of sub-themes crucial for sustainable growth. Sessions will focus on increasing digital infrastructure, supporting green economy initiatives, fostering regional integration, and promoting inclusive and climate-resilient infrastructure. These themes resonate deeply with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions “The Africa We Want” – a continent united in peace, prosperity, and sustainability.
The emphasis on multilateral cooperation and transformative financing takes center stage, with stakeholders discussing innovative models that will unlock funding for infrastructure projects. An estimated USD 16.1 billion is needed each year to realize the goals of PIDA’s second phase, encompassing 69 regional infrastructure projects. Given these requirements, the presence of deal rooms at the event will be crucial. Here, African leaders, financial institutions, and private sector representatives will gather to negotiate and secure funding commitments that could bring these projects to life.
The scope of discussions will also encompass environmental considerations, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions such as green mobility. As cities across Africa expand rapidly, the need for environmentally friendly transportation systems grows, making Ethiopia’s Green Mobility Expo a timely and relevant addition to PIDA Week’s events.
Strengthening Partnerships and Catalyzing Investment
PIDA Week promises to be a landmark gathering, bringing together high-profile leaders including Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, and AUDA-NEPAD CEO Nardos Bekele Thomas. In addition to government leaders, representatives from Regional Economic Communities (RECs), International Financing Institutions, regional banks, and international partners will participate, creating a diverse and powerful coalition of voices.
Their presence underscores a collective commitment to Africa’s development and an acknowledgment that infrastructure transformation requires partnership. These leaders will address critical barriers and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of regional integration. By connecting communities across borders, infrastructure can stimulate trade, reduce costs, and promote economic unity – goals that align with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), an initiative that, once fully operational, is expected to create the world’s largest free trade area and significantly boost intra-African trade.
An Invitation to Africa’s Future
As Addis Ababa prepares to host this transformative event, PIDA Week 2024 stands as a testament to Africa’s resilience and resourcefulness. In a continent often portrayed through challenges, this gathering spotlights Africa’s strengths: its young population, its vast resources, and its innovative spirit. This week will offer stakeholders a rare opportunity to engage in dialogues that are both visionary and practical, designed to overcome hurdles and harness Africa’s full potential.
By the end of PIDA Week, the anticipated outcomes include strengthened partnerships, innovative financing models, and a clearer path forward for the infrastructure projects that are so essential to Africa’s growth. Presentations of key projects are expected to result in signed agreements that will propel these initiatives from planning to execution. For Africa, PIDA Week is not just an event but a defining moment, a chance to turn ambitions into actions that shape the continent’s future.
As global attention turns toward Addis Ababa in late November, Africa’s commitment to a prosperous, connected, and sustainable future will be on full display. With PIDA at the helm, this vision is not just achievable but inevitable, fueled by the determination of Africans and partners worldwide to invest in a brighter, more resilient Africa.
