By Africa Links 24
Published on 2024-03-20 11:18:19
According to a recent study by UNEP, a staggering 78% of Africans have no choice but to commute to work on foot, with a significant portion of the population spending nearly an hour walking or cycling to reach their destination. The lack of efficient and safe transport options is a major hurdle for many, especially in a continent where 65% of roads have no pavement, leaving people and animals vulnerable to accidents as they navigate through bustling streets alongside buses, trucks, and cars zooming past.
The inadequacy of mobility solutions in African cities is not only a problem for commuters but also for businesses and economies that struggle with gaps in infrastructure hindering the movement of services and goods. The inefficiency in ports, as highlighted by the World Bank, only exacerbates the issue, with Africa’s ports ranking poorly in terms of container capacity and modern solutions. This results in costly delays for businesses involved in importing and exporting, limiting their growth potential and access to broader markets.
Despite these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope as innovative solutions are starting to surface from various sectors. Tech companies are stepping up to bridge the infrastructure gap with direct-to-consumer solutions, such as food delivery and ride-hailing apps in countries like Ghana and Nigeria, as well as drones delivering medical supplies in Rwanda. This wave of innovation is sweeping across Africa at a rapid pace, offering new ways to connect people with the services they need.
Public-private partnerships are also on the rise in Africa, facilitating the completion of large infrastructure projects in sectors like airports and water supply. By combining the resources and expertise of both public and private entities, these partnerships create a more effective risk-sharing arrangement that incentivizes investment and opens up new opportunities for investors while allowing governments to benefit from private sector input.
One notable example is the PPP between the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Economic Community of Central African States to construct a Road-Rail Bridge linking Kinshasa and Brazzaville. This project aims to enhance cross-border trade and improve the movement of people and goods between the two cities, ultimately boosting economic activity and reducing traffic accidents.
Private capital is increasingly seen as a vital source of funding to address complex mobility issues in Africa, particularly those impacting economic opportunities, environmental sustainability, health, and self-reliance. Investments in critical infrastructure like access roads and transmission lines are essential for supporting the energy transition and creating sustainable value chains for critical raw materials.
One key initiative is the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment’s commitment to mobilize investment for the Lobito Corridor project, which will develop an open-access rail route from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean through Angola, Zambia, and the DRC. This project is expected to drive economic growth, create local jobs, and facilitate regional and global trade.
Furthermore, investments in social mobility are crucial to providing safe and accessible transportation options for marginalized groups like youth and women. Projects like the introduction of electric buses in Dakar by the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund signal a new era for urban mobility in Africa, reducing emissions, easing congestion, and improving road safety.
As Africa’s population is projected to double by 2050, the need for enhanced mobility infrastructure has never been more urgent. Coordinated efforts from both public and private sectors are essential to meet the growing demand for sustainable and efficient transportation solutions across the continent. By investing in economic mobility, Africa can drive social inclusion, climate action, and economic productivity, paving the way for a brighter future for all its citizens.
