Infrastructure
Infrastructure is the foundation for Africa’s rebirth. With more low-cost broadband services on the horizon, digitalization could shape Africa’s transformation and integration across all sectors at every level. Africa continues to face significant challenges in the fields of science and technology because of poor to marginal funding, intellectual maintenance (keeping skilled resources in Africa), inadequate infrastructure including roads, bridges, and schools, marginal literacy, health care, and insufficient skilled resources. Poor infrastructure continues to hinder economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The goal is to address these gaps that have often resulted in infrastructure projects that never move beyond the planning stages.
•Healthcare—the spread of COVID-19 has affected the thinking on the future landscape of Africa’s infrastructure and public health. While the impact of COVID-19 in Africa continues to be measured and analyzed, it has already highlighted the importance of accessible information and communication technology, energy and water infrastructure, as well as the need to design transport infrastructure with possible pandemics in mind.
•Education—construct a learning platform on African infrastructure development to foster a multilevel-multidisciplinary community of African infrastructure professionals.
•Real Estate—focus on construction and real estate framework that includes: 1) economic opportunities to create high-quality jobs and improve livelihoods by enabling expansion of economic activities and contributing to greater economic productivity; 2) inclusive urbanization to enable more inclusive access to social and economic benefits and the safety and health of all African communities; and 3) environmental sustainability to improve energy and resource efficiency, land use, emissions reduction, and climate resilience.
•Agriculture—align investment decisions with low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure to avoid locked-in emissions, as infrastructure assets generally last several decades. It is therefore vital to address agricultural and environmental objectives during the design, planning, construction, and operational stages.