The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is a strategic framework designed to address Africa\u2019s infrastructure deficits in key sectors such as transport, energy, water, and information and communication technology (ICT). PIDA plays a critical role in promoting regional integration, economic growth, and sustainable development across the continent. It is implemented through Priority Action Plans (PAPs), with PIDA PAP1 (2012-2020) and PIDA PAP2 (2021-2030) focusing on vital infrastructure projects that align with the African Union\u2019s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).<\/p>\n
Highlights of PIDA Week 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. A Grand Opening with African Leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n The event begins with a high-level opening ceremony featuring insights from Ethiopia\u2019s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali<\/strong> and AUDA-NEPAD CEO Nardos Bekele-Thomas<\/strong>. These leaders will set a powerful agenda, emphasising Africa\u2019s commitment to resilience, collaboration, and innovation in the face of global infrastructure challenges.<\/p>\n 2. Accelerating Solutions for Water Security<\/strong><\/p>\n With Africa\u2019s water needs at the forefront, a session on “Accelerating Preparation and Financing of Trans-boundary Water Projects” will explore how to overcome funding and institutional challenges. AUDA-NEPAD and partners like the World Bank and AfDB will showcase case studies and financing models aimed at improving water security through regional partnerships.<\/p>\n 3. A Roadmap for Africa\u2019s Digital Transformation<\/strong><\/p>\n Digital infrastructure takes centre stage in a session organised by the World Bank, titled “Digital Infrastructure for Africa: Powering Jobs and Growth Across the Region”. This discussion will feature experts from ECOWAS, IFC, and leading African digital transformation advocates, focused on building robust digital ecosystems that drive employment, economic growth, and climate resilience across borders.<\/p>\n 4. Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Water Management<\/strong><\/p>\n Water cooperation will be further addressed in a World Bank-led session, “Connecting the Drops”, where stakeholders will discuss how water infrastructure can promote peace, regional cohesion, and sustainable development. Panelists, including representatives from OMVS and CILSS, will share insights on Africa\u2019s path toward long-term water security.<\/p>\n 5. Reshaping Infrastructure Financing with the Continental Business Network (CBN)<\/strong><\/p>\n This session will reveal AUDA-NEPAD\u2019s vision for a revitalised CBN, designed to boost Africa\u2019s infrastructure financing capabilities. Discussions will cover new funding models, governance structures, and the importance of aligning regional goals with national priorities, aimed at mobilising greater private and public sector investment.<\/p>\n 6. Preparing Infrastructure for Climate Resilience<\/strong><\/p>\n In a session addressing “Climate-Smart Infrastructure”, PIDA Week participants will learn about climate risks facing Africa\u2019s infrastructure and effective risk management strategies. Leaders from the Zambezi River Authority, Green Climate Fund, and other organizations will share practical steps to fortify infrastructure against climate impacts.<\/p>\n 7. Launching CMP Phase III \u2013 Powering Africa\u2019s Future<\/strong><\/p>\n The preliminary launch of the Continental Power System Master Plan (CMP) Phase III marks a significant milestone in Africa\u2019s energy journey. In this session, AUDA-NEPAD, USAID, and major power pools will present CMP\u2019s vision for a stable, interconnected power network, outlining the collaborative efforts needed to make energy security a reality for Africa.<\/p>\n 8. Boosting Digital Connectivity for Regional Prosperity<\/strong><\/p>\n This session, “Accelerating Cross-Border Digital Connectivity through PIDA”, will highlight the role of PIDA in advancing digital infrastructure, regulatory harmonisation, and funding mechanisms to support digitalization across borders. Key players from the ICT and policy sectors will participate in the panel, which AUDA-NEPAD and the AUC are organising.<\/p>\n 9. Sustainable Transport Day Celebration<\/strong><\/p>\n In line with the UN Global Sustainable Transport Decade, UNECA\u2019s session will focus on the role of digitisation in Africa\u2019s transport infrastructure. Experts will explore how tech-enabled transport systems can facilitate trade, mobility, and regional integration, setting the stage for sustainable growth.<\/p>\n 10. Advancing Cross-Border Trade with the OSBP Status Report Launch<\/strong><\/p>\n AUDA-NEPAD and JICA will unveil the One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) Status Report, a data-rich resource on border efficiency. The report launch will feature discussions on using innovative tools, like the Logistics Monitoring System (LMS), to enhance Africa\u2019s trade infrastructure, with panelists sharing best practices for cross-border trade facilitation.<\/p>\n 11. A Reflective Close and Vision for the Future <\/strong><\/p>\n The week will end with a closing ceremony summarising the major insights and commitments made during PIDA Week 2024. Ethiopia\u2019s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali will deliver a closing address, reinforcing the call for unified action toward a sustainable, resilient, and interconnected Africa.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The 8th PIDA Week, scheduled to take place in Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia from November 25th to 29th, 2024, is set to be a pivotal event for advancing Africa\u2019s infrastructure development agenda. This year\u2019s theme, \u201cFostering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure for Africa\u2019s Sustainable Growth: Leveraging Transformative Financing and Regional Integration,\u201d focuses on the critical sectors of the programme, Energy, Transport, and ICT.
\nThis year\u2019s theme, “Fostering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure for Africa\u2019s Sustainable Growth: Leveraging Transformative Financing and Regional Integration,” focuses on the critical intersections of the water-energy-food nexus, green transport, urban development, and the broader green economy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":979,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","postBodyMargin":[],"postBodyPadding":[],"postBodyBackground":{"backgroundType":"classic","gradient":""},"_tribe_events_status":"","_tribe_events_status_reason":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"tribe_events_cat":[56,47,57,53,48,35,30,58,55,54],"class_list":["post-1005","tribe_events","type-tribe_events","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tribe_events_cat-development-partners","tribe_events_cat-evening-events-special-functions","tribe_events_cat-media","tribe_events_cat-ministerial-high-level","tribe_events_cat-multi-purpose-hall","tribe_events_cat-networking-social-informal-interactions","tribe_events_cat-participant-level","tribe_events_cat-pida-week","tribe_events_cat-private-sector","tribe_events_cat-technical-experts","cat_development-partners","cat_evening-events-special-functions","cat_media","cat_ministerial-high-level","cat_multi-purpose-hall","cat_networking-social-informal-interactions","cat_participant-level","cat_pida-week","cat_private-sector","cat_technical-experts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/au-pida.org\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tribe_events\/1005","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/au-pida.org\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tribe_events"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/au-pida.org\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/tribe_events"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/au-pida.org\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/au-pida.org\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1005"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/au-pida.org\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tribe_events\/1005\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1528,"href":"https:\/\/au-pida.org\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tribe_events\/1005\/revisions\/1528"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/au-pida.org\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/979"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/au-pida.org\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/au-pida.org\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1005"},{"taxonomy":"tribe_events_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/au-pida.org\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tribe_events_cat?post=1005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}