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The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is a flagship continental initiative that serves as the strategic framework for Africa’s infrastructure development.

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PIDA Weeks

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Stakeholders Engaged

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Infrastructure Sessions

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PIDA Projects

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of the Ethiopia Government

We need to move beyond transactional development engagements and focus on investment deals that create lasting impact for our people.

H.E. Nardos Bekele Thomas, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD

We need to see how we, with the member states, encourage our own private sector partners to be part of this whole infrastructure development

Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of UNECA

"We must foster resilient and inclusive infrastructure for Africa's sustainable growth through transformative financing and regional integration."

Working Together to Develop Africa

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PIDA Facts – Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa

Overview

The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) was established in 2012 as a joint initiative of the African Union Commission, the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and the African Development Bank. PIDA provides a common framework to coordinate the development of cross-border infrastructure in four key sectors – transport, energy, information and communications technology (ICT), and transboundary water resources. By fostering regional integration through improved infrastructure, PIDA aims to boost trade, spur economic growth, and create jobs across Africa.

Objectives

PIDA’s overarching goal is to accelerate Africa’s economic integration and development by improving access to integrated regional infrastructure networks. Its key objectives include:


  • 1. Expanding access to affordable, reliable energy across the continent.

  • 2. Developing robust regional transport corridors to facilitate trade and mobility.

  • 3. Increasing digital connectivity through modern ICT networks and services.

  • 4. Strengthening management of transboundary water resources to ensure water security.

  • 5. Stimulating economic growth and job creation through improved infrastructure.

PIDA Sectors

Transport

PIDA is enhancing Africa’s transport networks by upgrading highways, railways, seaports, and aviation routes. It supports modern border facilities to streamline the movement of people and goods.

Energy

In the energy sector, PIDA promotes large-scale power generation and regional power pools, focusing on building new power plants and transmission lines to extend electricity access and improve energy security.

ICT

PIDA’s ICT initiatives focus on expanding broadband and fibre-optic infrastructure to connect countries digitally, thereby bridging the digital divide and supporting e-services.

Water

PIDA supports projects that improve water supply, irrigation, and hydropower generation by building dams, canals, and water management systems to ensure water security in shared river basins.

Key Achievements

Since its inception, PIDA has made significant progress in infrastructure development. During the first phase (PIDA PAP 1, 2012–2020), the programme delivered tangible results:

  • 16,066 km of new highways constructed across Africa.
  • 4,077 km of new railway lines built to connect major economic centres.
  • 3,506 km of power transmission lines installed, strengthening regional electricity grids.
  • 17 countries connected by high-speed fibre-optic communication cables, improving digital connectivity.
  • Over 150,000 jobs created through PIDA projects (including more than 100,000 direct jobs).

These accomplishments laid a strong foundation for the second phase of PIDA (PAP 2, 2021–2030), which encompasses 69 priority projects valued at around US$161 billion.

Learn more about PAP 2 (2021–2030)

PAP 2 consists of 69 regional infrastructure projects across transport, energy, ICT, and water, with an estimated total investment of US$161 billion. This phase emphasizes sustainable and inclusive development, aligning with the African Union’s long-term strategic goals.

Stakeholders and Partnerships

Implementing PIDA requires coordinated efforts among multiple stakeholders:

  • African Union Commission (AUC): Provides strategic oversight and political leadership for the programme.
  • AUDA-NEPAD: Coordinates implementation, advocates for projects, and provides technical support and project preparation assistance.
  • African Development Bank (AfDB): Leads financial support, helping mobilise funding and investments for PIDA projects.
  • Regional Economic Communities (RECs): Plan and monitor regional projects to ensure alignment with regional priorities.
  • Member States: Initiate and drive projects, providing political support, funding, and on-the-ground execution.
  • Private Sector & Development Partners: Contribute through public–private partnerships, financing, and expertise to help realize PIDA projects.

Collaboration with investors and donors is crucial to bridge Africa’s infrastructure financing gap, with annual needs estimated at US$130–170 billion. PIDA serves as a pipeline of bankable projects showcased at investment forums and summits.

September 2011

September 2011

September 1, 2011
Publication of the PIDA study on growth and demand

Providing a macro-outlook for infrastructure demand in each of the four sectors (transport,energy,and ICT as well as trans-boundary water resources management) until 2040, the study serves as the basis for the prioritisation of regional infrastructure programmes. i.e. for PIDA.

January 2012

January 2012

January 11, 2012
Adoption of the Programme for Infrastructure Development In Africa (PIDA)

During the 18th ordinary session of the AU Summit, African Heads of State and Government adopted the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) as strategic framework for regional infrastructure.The PIDA Priority Action Plan (PIDA­ PAP) comprises 51 cross-border programmes covering the four sectors transport, energy, and ICT as well as trans-boundary water resources management. Regional infrastructure is pivotal in increasing intra-African trade and improving the continent’s competitiveness in the world market. Hence,PIDA substantially contributes to the socio- economic development of an integrated Africa.

Adoption of the Institutional Architecture for Infrastructure Development in Africa (IAIDA)

As a strategic framework,IAIDA assigns roles and responsibilities to ensure a coordinated,speedy and efficient implementation of PIDA.

July 2012

July 2012

June 12, 2012
Presentation of the African Strategic Infrastructure Initiative

Led by the World Economic Forum (WEF), this initiative aims at effectively engaging the private sector in PIDA projects to accelerate their implementation. To this effect,a PIDA Business Working Group,comprising about 40 private sector institutions,was established. As a pilot project to foster and showcase their engagement,the Central Corridor was selected.

May 2013

May 2013

May 11, 2013
Launch of Virtual PIDA Information Centre (VPIC)

VPIC serves as “one-stop­ shop” for all PIDA related inquiries.It facilitates the M&E process of PIDA-PAP projects and promotes PIDA to the wider public as an essential framework for the transformation of Africa (www.au-pida.org).

January 2014

January 2014

January 12, 2014
Establishment of the Council for Infrastructure Development (CID)

As one of the key organ in the decision making process, the CID ensures coherence and harmony across sectors and identifies priority projects within PIDA. In this position, the CID develops and submits its recommendations to the African Head of States and Government at the AU Summit

May 2014

May 2014

May 11, 2014
Launch of the Africa 50 Fund

The Africa50 fund aims at mobilising private financing to accelerate the speed of infrastructure delivery in Africa,thereby creating a new platform for Africa’s growth. Africa50 focuses on commercially viable projects gaining returns.More importantly, the long-term strategic  aim is to directly invest USD 10 billion in projects,and facilitate total project  investment of USD 100 billion by crowding in private sector players.

June 2014

June 2014

June 12, 2014
The Dakar Financing Summit (DFS)

Prior to the Summit,16 PIDA-PAP projects were selected,which are of particular interest for the private sectors.These projects were presented during the Summit to mobilise additional monetary resources. Also,the DFS identified major challenges to the PIDA Vision (Lack of capacity for project preparation, lack of funding for project preparation,etc.) and developed innovative solutions to tackle those bottlenecks.

November 2014

November 2014

November 12, 2014
The Project Preparation Facilities’ (PPF) Roundtable

To address the lack of funding for project preparation, the NEPAD Agency organized a Roundtable of Project Preparation Funds (PPFs) in the course of the last ICA Annual Meetings in Cape Town/South Africa in November  2014. During this meeting, the PPFs agreed to cooperate with regards to PIDA project  preparation, since individually the different PPFs are generally too small to tackle projects the size of PIDA by themselves.The cooperation shall comprise financial cooperation, harmonization of application procedures, etc.

Introduction of the PIDA Service Delivery Mechanism (PIDA SDM)

This mechanism which is managed by the NEPAD Agency provides project implementers, most notably the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), with consultants to advise them on early stage project preparation (e.g.institutional and legal set up a project implementation and management unit.drafting of ToR for feasibility studies). The PIDA SDM is complementary with existing Project Preparation Funds (PPFs) since it helps to bring PIDA projects to the stage when feasibility studies can be undertaken. Then, PPFs can take over for the residual project preparation activities. The pilot project of this mechanism is the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor.

June 2015

June 2015

June 11, 2015
Launch of the Continental Business Network (CBN)

The Continental Business Network (CBN) is an African Union Heads of State and Government response to facilitate private sector advice and leadership in essential continent-wide infrastructure projects, notably PIDA, through the creation of a high-level private sector forum. In this regard, the CBN acts as an exclusive Infrastructure Investment Advisory platform for African leaders, providing thought leadership and engagement on a range of strategic issues like policy, investment risk rating(s), project structuring and specifically the existing constraints to the implementation of the PIDA projects. The Network will comprise leading African and global business and finance bodies as well as regional and international organizations. The purpose of the CBN is to engage and advance private sector priorities and requirements to invest in PIDA projects.

November 2015

November 2015

November 21, 2015
First PIDA Week, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

The PIDA Week was launched, as a recommendation of the PIDA Communication Network, is an information tool to increase the visibility of PIDA and in addition to it, a platform for targeted PIDA promotion and a mutual exchange between all PIDA relevant actors. The PIDA Week shall be organised once a year. Subsequently, PIDA Steering Committee Meeting was held for the first time in October 2015.

May 2016

May 2016

May 11, 2016
The launch of MoveAfrica

The NEPAD Agency launched MoveAfrica as an Initiative to facilitate trade and logistics along corridors. The initiative was launched in May 2016 in Kigali on the margins of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The initiative aims to address the transformation of the transboundary transport and logistics sector in Africa. The NEPAD Agency’s focus as the Africa Union’s Development Agency is on implementing Regional Projects, in-order to promote regional markets and double digit growth, towards the Continental Free Trade Area, bearing in mind that transport and trade corridors are an increasingly common approach to accelerating cross-border investments.

July 2016

July 2016

July 18, 2016
Launch of the 2nd PIDA CBN Report

At the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, the PIDA Continental Business Network launched its 2nd report titled “De-Risking Infrastructure and PIDA Projects in Africa”. One of its key recommendations concluded to establish a co-investment platform that seeks to increase the financing of African infrastructure projects by African pension funds and sovereign wealth funds

November 2016

November 2016

November 18, 2016
Second PIDA Week held and PIDA Progress Report launched

The second PIDA Week under the title “Creating Jobs through Regional Infrastructure Development” were held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Also, for the second time, the PIDA Progress Report was presented as a result of the extensive PIDA M&E System.

March 2017

March 2017

March 17, 2017
The first AU Specialized Technical Committee on Infrastructure recognizes PIDA

The first ordinary session of the African Union specialized technical committee on transport, transcontinental and inter regional infrastructure, energy and tourism took place from 13th – 17th of March 2017 in Lomé, Togo. Among others, The Declaration of Lomé invited all African stakeholders to enhance coordination and synergies in regard to PIDA; requested Member States to include PIDA PAP projects in their national budget and infrastructure plans and requested AUC-DIE and NEPAD to finalize the PIDA Job Creation Toolkit in order to successfully estimate and track labour market effects of regional infrastructure.

July 2017

July 2017

July 18, 2017
Endorsement of PIDA Action Plan by AU Executive Council during AU Summit

The executive council of the AU endorsed the report of the first Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Transport, Energy and Tourism as well as the sector action plans and the specific action plan for PIDA. Additionally, Member States were asked to further commit to the implementation of the Yamassoukrou Decision; to commit to PIDA and its significance for the implementation for Agenda 2063 and 2030 – call on Member States to mobilize resources and that generally PIDA and large scale infrastructure is significant in creating jobs.

September 2017

September 2017

September 18, 2017
Launch of 5% Agenda at NASDAQ, New York

The NEPAD Agency’s Continental Business Network, along with Africa investor (Ai), gathered international investors and CEO-level business leaders at NASDAQ on the 18th of September, for the launch of the 5% Agenda initiative. The 5% Agenda campaign highlights that only a collaborative public-private approach can efficiently tackle these issues and calls for allocations of institutional investors to African infrastructure to be increased to the declared 5% mark. Speaking at the launch event in New York, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, NEPAD Chief Executive Officer, indicated that, for pension and sovereign wealth funds to invest in large-scale infrastructure projects in Africa, a variety of issues need to be addressed to facilitate long-term allocations. Chief amongst these matters is the need to reform national and regional regulatory frameworks that guide institutional investment in Africa.

First PIDA Public Private Partnerships Training Module in Dakar, Senegal

For the first time the NEPAD Agency and AUC-DIE in cooperation with the AfDB and the German government (via GIZ), organized capacity development training scheme for public officials/project implementers from Regional Economic Communities, national infrastructure departments and specialized institutions. Accordingly, the expertise in preparing, negotiation, procuring and managing PPPs for large scale and cross-border infrastructure projects was strengthened. The training was held in Dakar, Senegal.

2017 PIDA Week to Convene in Namibia

2017 PIDA Week to Convene in Namibia

September 20, 2017

The 2017 Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week will be held from 10 to 14 December in Swakopmund, Namibia under the theme “Enhancing Trade and Economic Transformation through Regional Infrastructure Development”. (more…)

October 2017

October 2017

October 18, 2017
PIDA Job Creation Toolkit at Africa Talks Jobs, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

After a successful first phase of developing a methodology for the estimation of labour market effects of PIDA projects, the results and the way forward of the PIDA Job Creation Toolkit were presented at the Africa Talks Jobs event. The Toolkit not only estimates the type and quantity of jobs that can potentially be created by PIDA projects, but it also provides actionably strategies and policy recommendations how to maximize local jobs and improve skills development. PIDA as a key driver for job creation and the PIDA Job Creation Toolkit as a future labour market information tool were incorporated to the final declaration which eventually will be forwarded to the AU-EU Summit in Abidjan, Cote d’ivoire.

Kaleta Dam: Energy Access through Regional Infrastructure in West Africa

Kaleta Dam: Energy Access through Regional Infrastructure in West Africa

November 3, 2017

The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) demonstrated its “Energy Vision” through the implementation of the Kaleta Hydropower Dam situated on the Konkoure River, approximately 120km from Guinea’s capital Conakry. The Kaleta Dam harnesses renewable (hydropower) energy resources in order for households, businesses and industries to gain energy access, not only in Guinea but for West Africa. The growth and improvement of resourceful, dependable, cost effective, and ecologically friendly energy infrastructure is a stepping stone towards poverty eradication and sustainable development in the region.

Socio-Economic-Impacts-and Regional Power Distribution

As part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Energy Efficiency Policy, a long-term energy strategy was announced by the Guinean government to alleviate the energy crisis that has been hindering the development of the country. As a result, the implementation of the Kaleta hydropower plant improved energy access for the population of Guinea by adding 240 MW to the national electricity grid. In addition, it has widened the potential of businesses to expand, create more jobs as well as to increase the confidence for further investments in West Africa. In essence, the Kaleta Dam has a positive impact on the country’s socio-economic development as Guinea’s hydroelectric generating capacity increased from 2012 levels of 128 MW to 368 MW, almost tripling its mounted hydro capability. In addition, power generated from the dam plays a noteworthy part in providing unswerving power for Conakry’s 1.7 million citizens.

The development of renewable energy by means of the Kaleta Hydropower Dam was brought to fruition in 2015 after three years of construction. The Dam is resourceful in meeting the power demands of Guinea and an estimation of 30% of Kaleta’s output is intended to go to neighbouring Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. At the core, the electricity generated at Kaleta feeds into the operation of the West African Power Pool’s vision of incorporating national power systems into an integrated regional electricity market. The main goal is to provide a consistent and dependable energy delivery at economical cost for the ECOWAS region as part of its Regional Energy Efficiency Policy.

Further Outlook

In the upcoming years, the PIDA energy infrastructure framework plans to include transmission lines to connect the continent’s power pools and permit a large increase in inter-regional energy trade. PIDA as the continental infrastructure framework is supported by the German Government through technical advisory services of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). With PIDA projects becoming operational, it continues to promote regional economic integration via the advancement of cross-border infrastructure on the African continent.

Rusomo Falls Hydroelectric Project: A Best Practice for Socio-Environmental Risk Mitigation

Rusomo Falls Hydroelectric Project: A Best Practice for Socio-Environmental Risk Mitigation

November 3, 2017

The Rusumo Hydro Power Plant is a transboundary project traversing over Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi located on the Kagera River on the border between Rwanda and Tanzania, and nearly 25 kilometres downstream of Burundi. Rusomo Falls is also a PIDA Priority Project to which the African Development Bank (AfDB) provided a $4 million grant to the Nile Basin Initiative to technical studies for the transmission lines.

National and Regional Impact of Rusomo Falls.

The project is envisioned to strengthen regional power interconnection and to provide job prospects for more than 500 skilled and non-skilled labour forces from the recipient countries Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania. It is forecasted to improve livelihoods of about 7000 households in the beneficiary districts and an additional 188 households directly affected by the projects through Livelihood Restoration Program (LRP) implemented by the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP).

Transbounday Water Management as success for Socio-Environmental Risk Mitigation

Naturally, the development of large scale infrastructure can be to the disadvantage of nature and communities. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that project states in cooperation with regional actors such as River Basin Organisation (RBOs) communicate early in the project preparation stage on socio-environmental risk mitigation. This is exactly what happened during the development of Rusomo Falls via Transboundary Water Management (TWM).
NELSAP as the RBO developed above mentioned livelihood restoration program, which is part of a broader Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) prepared in accordance with the World Bank social safeguard requirements and the AfDB Involuntary Resettlement Policy. Additionally, the RAP, to relocate people in a publicly responsible method and conferring to good international practice, was bolstered by a well-coordinated notification and consultation process of the three project states. Through the notification process, and the ensuing environmental and social assessments, it was decided to alter the original design of a 90MW plant and projected displacement of 90,000 people to an 80 MW hydropower scheme merely displacing about 500 people. This process demonstrated the significance and benefits of engaging a broader range of stakeholders at the national and regional level so as to promote RBOs and to achieve national level buy-in.

The Rusumo Hydro Power Plant has thus far been on track with satisfactory progress. Where there is impending transboundary impact, national standards should still apply to the degree that they correspond with universally established international rules and standards. The respective recipient countries have reported on the positive impacts the development of the project has had thus far, the most noteworthy being the absence of load shedding since December 2015 and the assertion that current power cuts are associated with network issues. It can thus serve as best practice example in mitigating socio-environmental risks in infrastructure development in Africa.

The road ahead for fixing Africa’s infrastructure deficit

The road ahead for fixing Africa’s infrastructure deficit

November 16, 2017

Africa is characterized by an infrastructural deficit, a situation that remains critical. In fact, across the continent, 319 million people are living without access to improved reliable drinking water sources, 695 million people are living without basic sanitation access, only 34 percent have road access, and 620 million people don’t have access to electricity (sub-Saharan Africa). These insufficient infrastructure networks across the continent have limited cross-border flows of trade, capital, information, and people, drastically affecting Africa’s growth and broader development performance and regional integration. The Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), a continental initiative aimed at tackling the infrastructure deficits in Africa by 2040, should address these major gaps, but the effort is a long way from meeting its potential.

November 2017

November 2017

November 30, 2017
AU-EU Summit, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) hosted a joint summit, the 5th AU-EU Summit in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire from 29th to 30th of November 2017. The AU-EU Heads of State and Governments Summit takes place every three years and reviews progress made in the implementation of joint programmes to provide political and technical guidance on further actions. In this regard, the 6th EU-Africa Business Forum were held, in which the NEPAD Agency and AUC-DIE represented PIDA at numerous events. One of the activities was the presentation, “market packaging”, of five PIDA Programmes seeking investment opportunities.

December 2017

December 2017

December 14, 2017
Third  PIDA Week, Swakopmund, Namibia

This year’s PIDA Week focused on the theme “Regional Infrastructure Development for Job Creation and Economic Transformation” – a central element was the so-called “market packaging” of five PIDA Programmes that are particularly impactful for socio-economic development. By presenting respective action plans, project owners were seeking further financing partners for its realization. Another highlight was the High Level Roundtable on Job Creation, Trade Facilitation and Economic Transformation through Regional Infrastructure, which was opened by the NEPAD Agency and its achievements in support of job creation and intra-African trade.

November 2018

November 2018

November 28, 2018
Fourth PIDA Week, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Fourth PIDA Week’s theme was “Good Governance – realizing Smart Infrastructure for Africa’s Integration”. The 2018 PIDA Week built on previous events to continue to engage stakeholders on the effective delivery of infrastructure on the continent focusing specifically on good governance and how it can specifically help to: enable project preparation and implementation support resource mobilisation, promote private sector confidence to invest in PIDA projects, and encourage integration of PIDA projects into national development plans. As part of the strategy of cross-linkages with PIDA stakeholders, PIDA Week 2018 incorporated the Africa Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) AGM and annual conference for robust engagement.

March 2019

March 2019

March 21, 2019
African Infrastructure Guarantee Mechanism (AIGM), Mauritius

AUDA-NEPAD officials attended the 3rd African Pension Funds and Alternative Investments Conference in Mauritius from the 20th – 21st of March 2019. AUDA-NEPAD presented a session on Scaling Risk Mitigation to enable greater pension fund investment in Africa’s Infrastructure: The African Infrastructure Guarantee Mechanism. The conference resulted in meaningful discussions as the event was well attended by an audience mostly composed of industry players (private pension fund administrators, trustees, asset managers, government pension funds and Development Finance Institutions), this demonstrated and reiterated the significance of the African Infrastructure Guarantee Mechanism as an initiative by AUDA-NEPAD to  increase the allocation of African asset owners from an approximate 1.5% to 5% of Assets under Management (AUM) by reducing the risk and crowd in the capital markets players’, pension funds, investment managers and other financial investors in Africa’s infrastructure.

November 2020

November 2020

November 13, 2020
Completion of all PIDA – PAP projects

The implementation of all PIDA – PAP projects facilitates economic prosperity and sustainable development. The completion of all PIDA-PAP projects establishes transnational transport corridors and telecommunications networks,improving regional energy supply and developing a functioning trans-boundary water management which are key for a sustainable and socially inclusive economic growth and facilitates cooperation between African countries; hence, brings to live the vision of an integrated and united Africa.

post-2023-1

post-2023-1

December 14, 2023

AUDA-NEPAD secures $82bn Investments Commitments To Finance Infrastucture’’

post-2023-2

post-2023-2

December 14, 2023

‘’A Decade Of Transforming Africa’s Infrastructure. The First 10-Year PIDA Implementation Report’’

post-2023-3

post-2023-3

December 14, 2023

‘’AUDA-NEPAD And AUC Host A Meeting With RECs On Africa’s Infrastucture Development’’

About Us

The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is a strategic initiative launched by the African Union to address critical infrastructure gaps across the continent. 

pida@auda-nepad.org 

 

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