Overview

The 7th PIDA Week takes place amidst the backdrop of continued global economic and social uncertainty occasioned by COVID 19 pandemic. The prolonged COVID 19 pandemic has had devastating multifaceted economic and social consequences that have disproportionately affected Africa on human development indicators, economic interdependence, growth and resilience patterns. In response, African Governments have prioritized their spending commitment mainly focusing on vaccinating their population and building resilience considering the pandemic, therefore increasing their recurrent expenditure. This could impact the annual gap in infrastructure investment in the short to medium term. The pandemic has also had a negative impact on cross-border trade. African Union has also been affected with member states were forced to shutting down borders and, in some cases, applying trade restrictions that have affected supply chains inbound and outbound within the regions and as a result recording trade deficit in volumes, exposing Africa’s over-dependence on external supply chains.

It is expected that once the pandemic is successfully contained, the focus will need to shift from crisis management to assisting to adequately invest in infrastructure for development, as well as preventing and mitigating the impact of future outbreaks.

The 7th PIDA Week will also be held as we near the end of the first year of the implementation of the AfCFTA. COVID-19 has had an impact on cross-border trade with member states shutting down borders and, in some cases, applying trade restrictions that have affected supply chains inbound and outbound. This has resulted in countries and regions recording trade deficit in volumes, exposing Africa’s over-dependence on external supply chains.

PIDA Week aims to bring together international and regional expertise from multiple stakeholders to deliberate on the issues around infrastructure delivery in Africa, and those related to PIDA. It will focus on how Africa can lead the way in the delivery of infrastructure in a post-COVID era, supporting the economic and social imperatives of the continent in the digital age.

In addition to the typical issues impacting on infrastructure delivery on the continent, PIDA Week will consider thematic issues such as:

• Infrastructure priorities in the PIDA PAP II
• Financial requirements of PIDA PAP II projects need project preparation funding
• Market sounding of advanced PIDA PAP II projects
• Post-COVID 19 infrastructure financing, delivery, and resilience
• The critical role of infrastructure in the implementation of AfCFTA and for post COVID-19 Recovery
• COVID-19 impact of reduced economic growth and changes in investment and exports patterns on the continent
• The likely transformation in demand for and consumption of transport, energy, ICT and social infrastructure.

Objectives

The main objectives of the 7th PIDA Week are to:

• Provide a platform to showcase and deliberate on inclusiveness in infrastructure development in Africa through the PIDA Integrated Corridor Development Approach
• Showcase progress made in the implementation of PIDA projects and related initiatives and share lessons and experiences on the implementation of PIDA projects
• Provide an opportunity for project owners and stakeholders to network, mobilise resources for proposed and ongoing projects, address crucial issues around policy and project enabling environment, hence accelerating project implementation
• Showcase possible economic development opportunities along the PIDA Corridors as presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in various sectors as a necessary tool for continental integration towards boosting intra-African trade, job creation and economic development on the continent

As has been the case in previous events, stakeholders will be invited to hold parallel events linking to PIDA Week.

Dates and Venue

The 7th PIDA Week 2021 will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya through a hybrid format and will take place from 28th February to 4th March 2022.