Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 4th February, 2020 – The African Union Commission (AUC) launched a three-day workshop from 29th - 31st January 2020 to train task force nominees on the project selection criteria in pursuit of “inclusive, sustainable world class infrastructure” carved out by Agenda 2063. Expert representatives from infrastructure sectors: energy, transport, ICT, and trans boundary water resources were selected from the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to take part in the workshop for a better understanding on the application of the Integrated Corridor Approach in the PIDA PAP2 project selection process so that they would, in turn, guide representatives from the Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in identifying priority infrastructure projects in line with the AU vision under Agenda 2063.

In his opening remarks, the Head of Information Society division at the AUC, Mr. Moctar Yedaly, speaking on behalf of Mr. Cheikh Bedda, Director of Infrastructure and Energy, thanked the participants for attending this vital workshop and emphasized the need for unceasing commitment to see the PIDA PAP2 through the validation of Specialised Technical Committee in October, 2020 and its adoption by the Heads of State in January, 2021. “We have new projects to select taking into consideration what has been achieved and what we have yet to do,” he highlighted. The task force intends to build upon the experiences and lessons learned from PIDA PAP1 projects to lay the groundwork for PIDA PAP2. The Task force members will train experts from Member States and RECs during regional workshops.

Moving into the second phase of PIDA, Member States and RECs must first identify priority projects so that ultimately the projects reflect the needs of the main stakeholders. Members States will propose their projects to RECs, who are required to fill out specific forms requesting key information to screen projects with the guidance of the task force before submitting it for review. Once the project identification is complete, the task force will analyze, score and screen the proposed projects according to the eligibility and project selection criteria. While the eligibility criteria focuses on regional integration, the project selection criteria concentrates on inclusiveness and sustainability with regard to gender sensitivity, rural connectivity and environmental friendliness. The project selection criteria also weighs the economic and financial impact of projects in terms of job creation, economic impact, bankability, smart/innovative approaches, and corridor planning.

Fifty total projects will be picked by the end of the process, ten projects per region and at least one project by sector. The screening tool, based on inputs by the taskforce, will generate a weighted overall score to measure a project’s ability to respond to the Integrated Corridor Approach for the selection. This task force training was launched with support from GIZ with the objective of PIDA PAP2 adoption by Heads of State in 2021.

About PIDA PAP

The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), an African Union Commission (AUC) initiative, in partnership with the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) the African Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, aims to accelerate infrastructure development across the continent.

PIDA as a strategic framework will run through 2040 in order to develop continental (cross-border) infrastructure (Energy, Transport, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Trans-boundary Water Resources). PIDA’s main purpose is to strengthen the consensus and ownership of large cross-border infrastructure projects that integrate energy, transportation, and water development on a continental scale.

The PIDA Priority Action Plan (PIDA-PAP), which extends to 2020, comprises 51 programmes and projects divided into 433 projects covering transport, energy, information and communication technology (ICT) and trans-boundary water sectors. PIDA will allow countries to meet forecast demand for infrastructure services and boost competitiveness by: (i) Increasing efficiencies; (ii) Accelerating growth; (iii) Facilitating integration in the world economy; (iv) Improving living standards and; (v) Unleashing intra-African trade.

While it is difficult to accurately project the capital cost of PIDA’s long-term implementation through 2040 (currently estimated at more than $360 billion), the overall capital cost of delivering the PAP from 2012 through 2020 is expected to be nearly US$68 billion, or about $7.5 billion annually for the next nine years. Energy and transport projects and programmes represent around 95% of the total cost, demonstrating the critical need for transformative investments in these sectors to support African trade, promote growth and create jobs. Investment needs for ICT and water represent lower percentages.

Media inquiry Contacts:
Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head of Information Division, Directorate of Information and Communications (DIC) | Tel: +251911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@yahoo.com
Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer, Directorate of Information and Communications (DIC) | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org
For further information: 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
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