Africa’s future is tied closely to its ability to trade and create opportunities for economic investment. This clearly needs infrastructure investments and improvements to be prioritised, opening the doors and smoothing the passage of people, material, energy and communication.
That such infrastructural development has not advanced fast enough is a sign of both strategic and practical challenges, despite positive intent by most stakeholders. The objectives identified by regional bodies such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) certainly point the way to a more prosperous future. These goals include market integration, macroeconomic convergence and the strengthening of financial and capital markets; they will be important steps forward, as will be deeper monetary cooperation and enhanced competitiveness within its member countries.
But it is widely recognised that a lack of ability to deliver key infrastructure services, such as water, transportation, gas, telecommunication and power, is frustrating these objectives, and generally restricting development and growth. It is encouraging that the African Union – through its official development agency, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) – is focusing on investments in infrastructure development to promote economic growth and integration. This is being influenced by the ambitions and expectations of countries such as China, which has played a leading role in boosting foreign direct investment (FDI) into the continent.
There are various factors that make the process of planning, building and maintaining infrastructure in Africa very challenging. At the highest level, the right political climate is vital, as levels of stability and political will can be dealmakers or dealbreakers. The agenda of global powers can be either a help or a hinderance. Corruption within the system – particularly within the implementing bureaucracies and their contractors – has the effect of depressing the level of efficiency at best, and frustrating entire processes at worst.
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