6th PIDA Week

New decade, new realities, new priorities – positioning PIDA and infrastructure development in Africa’s continued growth and economic recovery

Virtual Event: 18th to 21st January 2021

Overview

PIDA Week 2020 takes place amidst the backdrop of global economic and social uncertainty. Even before the COVID 19 pandemic, prospects of economic growth on the continent were uncertain, with most countries struggling to achieve growth. With the expected negative impact on Government funding arising from the threat of a sustained downturn in economic activity and revenue collection, spending on infrastructure is likely to diminish significantly in the short- to medium-term. Over the medium-term, governments are likely to view infrastructure as a major stimulus mechanism for economic recovery and growth. The cross-border trade has also been affected with member states shutting down borders and, in some cases, applying trade restrictions that have affected supply chains inbound and outbound with the regions recording trade deficit in volumes, exposing Africa’s overdependence on external supply chains.

The 2020 PIDA Week conference aims to bring together international and regional expertise from multiple stakeholders to deliberate on the issues around infrastructure delivery in Africa, and in particular, those related to PIDA. It will focus on how Africa can lead the way in the delivery of infrastructure in a post-COVID era, supporting the economic and social imperatives of the continent in the digital age. It is also coming at a pivotal moment in the history of PIDA, when the programme is transitioning from the first phase (PIDA PAP II)to the second phase (PIDA PAP II), which will be launched during the AU Head of States summit in January 2021 to 2030.

In addition to the typical issues impacting on infrastructure delivery on the continent, PIDA Week 2020 will consider thematic issues such as:

  • Infrastructure priorities in the PIDA PAP II
  • Post-Covid 19 resilience infrastructure financing, and delivery
  • Strategic infrastructure partnerships in a post-COVID-19 world
  • The critical role of quality infrastructure for the economy for the implementation of ACFTA
  • COVID-19 impact of reduced economic growth and changes in investment and exports patterns on the continent
  • The likely transformation in demand for and consumption of transport, energy, ICT and social infrastructure that are geared to eradicate poverty and inequality in the context of AfCFTA and COVID-19.

Objectives

The main objectives of PIDA Week are to:

  • Provide a platform to showcase and deliberate on inclusiveness in infrastructure development in Africa through the PIDA Integrated Corridor Development Approach
  • Showcase progress made in the implementation of PIDA projects and related initiatives and share lessons and experiences on the implementation of PIDA projects including environmental sustainability
  • Provide an opportunity for project owners and stakeholders to network, mobilise resources for proposed and ongoing projects, address crucial issues around policy and project enabling environment, hence accelerating project implementation
  • Showcase possible socio-economic development opportunities along the PIDA Corridors as presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in various sectors as a necessary tool for continental integration towards boosting intra-African trade, job creation and economic development on the continent.

As has been the case in previous events, stakeholders will be invited to hold parallel events linking to PIDA Week.

Outcomes

The anticipated outcomes from the PIDA Week are:

  1. Provide a platform for advocacy of implementation of priority PIDA Projects as part of an enhanced communications strategy to act as a catalyst for Africa to attain and deepen economic integration and the relevant targets set under Agenda 2063.
  2. Mobilise resources for project preparation and conduct market sounding for more advanced projects
  3. Facilitate cross sectoral linkages to continental Infrastructure Projects and facilitate sharing lessons and experiences on the implementation of PIDA projects.
  4. Promote private sector participation in PIDA and provide a marketplace to showcase PIDA Projects

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2012 – 2021© Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA)

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