Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Thomas Kachere
Published on 2024-03-22 06:29:33
Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola recently made a passionate plea to the international community to view African nations as crucial partners in development. Speaking at the prestigious Transforming Transportation 2024 event in Washington DC, Matola emphasized the pressing need for financial assistance and investment in Africa’s transition to resilient, low-carbon transportation systems. He highlighted the importance of mobilizing finance without imposing burdensome conditions, arguing that energy and transport issues are intricately connected and must be addressed as such.
Matola criticized the tendency of international investors to impose stringent conditions on infrastructure projects, ultimately labeling African countries as high-risk investment destinations. He urged the global community to take a long-term view and support African nations in building sustainable transportation networks. Drawing parallels with the remarkable development seen in China and India over the past two decades, Matola stressed the significance of investing in education and innovation to unlock Africa’s untapped potential.
He emphasized that Africans are natural engineers and innovators who can drive significant progress with the right support and resources. Matola debunked the perception of Africa as a fragile continent, acknowledging the existence of some fragile states but cautioning against painting the entire continent with the same brush. He called for increased investment in African nations without prejudging their capabilities or potential for growth.
Victoria Kwakwa, Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa at the World Bank, echoed Matola’s sentiments by reaffirming the bank’s commitment to enhancing finance for low-carbon and resilient transportation systems in developing countries. The World Bank, in collaboration with the World Resources Institute, co-hosted the Transforming Transportation event, which has emerged as a prominent global platform for discussions on sustainable transport and development.
The two-day conference brought together a diverse group of global professionals and experts in transportation to explore strategies for mobilizing resources to promote greener, safer, and more resilient transport systems. The focus was particularly on low- and middle-income countries, where the need for sustainable transportation infrastructure is critical for economic development and social progress.
By advocating for increased investment in Africa’s transportation sector and highlighting the continent’s potential for growth and innovation, Minister Matola and other key stakeholders at the Transforming Transportation event are sending a clear message to the international community. African nations are ready and willing partners in the pursuit of sustainable development, and with the support of global partners, they can achieve significant progress in building resilient, low-carbon transportation systems that benefit their citizens and contribute to the global effort to combat climate change.
Read the original article on The Times
