AU, others call for economic growth via infrastructure development
African countries have been urged to implement rapid infrastructure development policies to boost operations of enterprises, commercial activities and massive job creation across the continent.
Africa has to offer employment openings for its youth if it is to harness their potentials and contribute to the desired economic growth outlined in the vision of Agenda 2063, Africa’s economy drivers have noted.
The assertion was made by officials from the African Union (AU), the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) Agency and the African Development Bank (AfDB) at the opening of the second annual Programme for Infrastructure Development (PIDA) Week in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
A report of the meeting made available to the Daily Times noted that PIDA, a multi-sectoral programme covers transport, energy, Trans boundary water and ICT, is dedicated to facilitate continental integration in Africa through improved regional infrastructure. This year’s gathering organized under the theme, “Creating Jobs through Regional Infrastructure Development,”
Dr. Elham Ibrahim, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, said that PIDA should play an important role in narrowing the gap between job creation and unemployment.
Ibrahim, called on government agencies, public decision-makers and private sector management to undertake training and skills acquisition in infrastructure development, particularly in building roads, rail systems, power generation and power transmission systems, as this would enable young Africans to be well prepared for the implementation of complex programmes of Africa’s infrastructure development.
NEPAD Agency CEO, Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, submitted that for Africa to be successful in increasing regional and domestic infrastructure projects and their impacts, there should be changes in mind-set, policy pronouncements and programme implementation.
He specified that there is a need to continue with the positive streamlining of trans-boundary infrastructure projects as highlighted in PIDA and complementary initiatives.
“Africa stands to benefit from its critical human resources, the young people, who must be nurtured to enable their meaningful participation in national development efforts and I believe that infrastructure development is central to this,” said Dr Mayaki.
