Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, 26 September 2019: The second Policy Dialogue on the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) wrapped today after 48 African Union Member States and PIDA Stakeholders having considered a large number of recommendations that highlighted the need for AU member States to renew their focus to the development of the second phase of PIDA, which will run from 2021 to 2030.

The meeting also urged the African Union Commission and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to fast-track the development of the second phase of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA PAP 2) integrating gender and youth dimensions, which should be submitted for adoption to AU organs by January 2021 and to prioritise the launch of the African Network for Women in Infrastructure (ANWIn).

In his closing remarks, Mr. Cheikh Bedda, Director for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission, conveying his appreciation and gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for hosting the event, said it was clear from the communiqué of the depth of the discussions that were held on key issues in PIDA. He stated that the AUC will continue to work with Member States and its partners to complete the first phase of PIDA and to design the second Phase.

Reminding experts PIDA is a catalyst for inclusive development on the continent, Mr. Bedda stated that, “PIDA will constitute the most appropriate framework for inclusive development in terms of the continent’s infrastructure development.
The Director added that there have been remarkable achievements within a short period of time considering the many barriers that exist within the continent. However, the scale of the challenge in infrastructure development on the continent calls for more accelerated implementation and innovative approaches to meet-up with the increasing demand for infrastructure services.
“I call upon all Member States to re-commit themselves to the development of PIDA projects on the ground and to renew their focus to PIDA PAP 2.”

In their final communiqué, delegates called upon AU Member States and PIDA Stakeholders to fast track the assessment of the PIDA mid-term review and engage the preparation of the PIDA PAP 2 with an updated list of the priority projects; promote integrated corridor development using data-driven decision-making models to prioritise projects for commercial viability and promote the setting up of legal frameworks and instruments for corridor management.

Also crucial, the delegates recommended the need for the continent to institute an elaborate Financing Strategy for PIDA projects that Member States could use to mobilise funds for projects. In addition, it was agreed that PIDA Stakeholders to engage the private sector, the diaspora and Development Financing Institutions (DFIs) to prepare projects as they could bring huge experience and knowledge into ensuring quality projects are developed and presented for financing.
Member States were also requested to speed up ratification of pending legal instruments related to infrastructure, notably the African Maritime Transport Charter and the Intergovernmental Agreement on Trans-African Highways (TAH).
The communiqué emphasized the use of cross-sectoral approaches, including the maritime sector in the integrated corridor approach, and adopt a framework for exchanging best practices and propose suitable instruments/mechanisms to integrate rural and remote areas in the next phase of PIDA PAP 2.

The Minister of Public Works, Habitat and Urban Development of Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Diosdado Nsue Medja concurred that the PIDA Policy Dialogue was a success and reiterated that infrastructure financing remains a major concern for Africa, which will be a united, prosperous and integrated by 2063, hence “investment in infrastructure and enhanced public-private partnerships in Africa will be needed to meet the major challenges facing the continent”.

“It is time to start planning the requested infrastructure under the PIDA-PAP 2 framework,” Minister Diosdado Nsue Medja highlighted closing the meeting.

The Second PIDA Policy Dialogue, organized by the African Union Commission jointly with the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), drew over 450 participants from 48 AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities, the regional development banks and financial institutions, the continental specialized organizations, academia, private sector and civil society, and representatives from the development partners and international organizations involved in PIDA. The Dialogue was held under the theme “Commitment of AU member states for accelerated development of regional and continental infrastructure”.

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Media inquiry Contacts:
Sophia Nesri | PIDA Information Analyst | Department of Infrastructure and Energy | African Union Commission I E-mail: sophian@africa-union.org mailto:dic@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Esther Azaa Tankou / Head of Information Division / AUC / Tel: +251 911361185 /
E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

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