Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, December 21, 2018: The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is a catalyst for inclusive development on the continent, African Union Commission Director of Infrastructure and Energy, Mr. Cheikh Bedda said in his closing remarks at the end of the Policy Dialogue conference on the implementation of PIDA held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"We are leaving with a shared conviction that PIDA will constitute the most appropriate framework for inclusive development in terms of the continent's infrastructure," Mr. Bedda said.

Mr. Bedda said the next phase of the Programme would include women and youth. "We have mentioned that Phase 2 of PIDA should involve women and youths, source of inclusiveness to enable rural communities to contribute to this continent's development,” Mr. Bedda opined.

"We note with great deal of satisfaction that the partners have begun to understand this continent has its own approach and its priorities have to be respected as they are anchored on AU Agenda 2063."

He said the time to assimilate local and international investors in projects is now, adding that there should be innovative ways of bringing on board the latter on win-win situation. He advised that as the continent is preparing for the second phase of PIDA PAP, stakeholders should be cautious to save time and resources. He says the AU has started talking to the main partners of infrastructure development.

“We’ve had a very successful meeting with the Chinese through the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit held in September 2018. And in the declaration it was made very clear that infrastructure will remain the top priority for the Chinese partners as well as for the African side. When we talk about infrastructure we are also talking about the rural areas,” Mr. Bedda noted.

Furthermore, in the same vein, he said they met with EU, through the EU Commission and in the end had an action plan that was validated in Abidjan, which clearly mention that infrastructure, especially in rural areas will be top priority. He also mention Germany as one key partner, through the new marshal plan, which comes with instruments which are focused on infrastructure as well as the promotion of the private sector commitment through the establishment of a number of guarantees.

PIDA was adopted by AU heads of State and Government in 2012 as a strategic framework for regional and continental infrastructure development in Africa. It covers four main sectors that include transport, energy, information and communication technology and Trans-boundary water.

PIDA's continental implementing partners are the African Union Commission, the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, the African Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

For Media inquiries please contact:
Sophia Nesri | PIDA Information Analyst | Department of Infrastructure and Energy | African Union Commission I E-mail: sophian@africa-union.org