NEPAD CEO calls for emphasis on inclusive growth in Africa’s infrastructural development

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© Curtis Christophersen/United Nations University

The NEPAD Coordinating and Planning Agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ibrahim Mayaki has called for the prioritisation of support for infrastructure projects in Africa. 

Speaking recently at the Africa Day Symposium in the Japanese capital Tokyo, Dr Mayaki stressed the importance of aligning the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) to the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), a fully-integrated infrastructure development blueprint for the Continent, led by the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the NEPAD Agency.

Before the session Dr Mayaki briefly met with Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito

This years’ Symposium, which is an annual event jointly organised by the Africa Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo (ADC) and the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo was sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

Titled “Hard Infrastructure Development in Africa – Role of Japan” delegates to the Symposium, included the Ambassadors of Zimbabwe Stuart Comberbach, and Djibouti Ahmed Araita Ali; Konrad Osterwalder, Rector of the UNU, and Japan’s Parliamentary deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Toshiyuki Kato. They discussed linkages of infrastructure, regional integration, development and Japan’s role in supporting these aspects.

PIDA’s mandate is to fast-pace the development of Africa’s regional and continental road networks, industry and transport networks. The programme is the culmination of various efforts to develop Africa’s vital infrastructure and merges a number of initiatives into one coherent programme for the entire African continent. This consolidation process has enabled countries to work effectively.

The NEPAD’s mission was supported by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, ADC in Tokyo and UNU.

In a written statement, the UN University said the meeting was a good platform for highlighting how Japanese private sector interest in trade and investment opportunities in Africa can be further expanded.

Africa Development Bank’s Director for NEPAD’s regional integration and trade department Mr Alex Rugamba speaking in a panel discussion pointed to the need for the preparation of high quality viable projects that would be ready to solicit finance from public and private sources.   He cautioned that while Official Development Assistance (ODA) is vital for development, it should not be a primary source support.  “Instead ODAs must be a catalyst to draw in private sector participation for infrastructure development.” said Mr Rugamba.