[infographic] Infrastructure Resilience & Energy in sub-Saharan Africa

14 December 2016

The Aid & International Development Forum (AIDF) has released an infographic that explores infrastructure resilience and access to energy in sub-Saharan East Africa. The African Development Bank (AfDB), whose strategy for 2013-2022 makes infrastructure development one of its five operational priorities, states that “Africa still has massive infrastructure needs” yet invests only 4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in infrastructure, in contrast to the 14% spent by China. A projected $100 billion will be required to meet Africa’s infrastructure needs over the next decade. The AfDB estimates that “bridging the infrastructure gap could increase GDP growth by an estimated 2% a year”.

The infographic was created in time for the 2nd annual Aid & Development Africa Summit. To download the infographic, click here.

The AIDF infographic highlights the significant gaps in infrastructure funding across the world. Between 2013 and 2030, $57 trillion will be spent on infrastructure globally, with $16 trillion being spent in Europe alone. In sub-Saharan Africa, however, only $1.8 trillion will be dedicated to infrastructure.

The share of citizens in Africa with access to services varies considerably. 63% of Africans have access to piped water and even less, only 30%, have access to sewerage. In contrast, over 90% have mobile phone service.

Modern energy services are essential to human well-being and to a country’s economic development; and yet globally 1.2 billion people are without access to electricity, 16% of the global population. More than 95% of those living without electricity are in countries in sub-Saharan Africa and developing Asia, and they are predominantly in rural areas (around 80% of the world total). Moreover, if current trends continue, it will take Africa until 2080 to achieve universal access to electricity.

In Kenya, only 23% of people have access to electricity compared to the global average of nearly 85%. There is significant potential for renewable energy development in Africa. Renewable energy consumption in Kenya is in excess of 78%, far surpassing the global average of just 18%.

Hear more about infrastructure resilience and energy at the 2nd annual Aid & Development Africa Summit, on 28 February-1 March in Nairobi, Kenya. During the two-day summit, international and regional experts, including Dr Stephen Mogere, Infrastructure Advisor at JICA, Dr Sharad Sapra, Director of Global Innovation Centre, UNICEF and Christopher M. Hoffman, Regional Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Director at World Vision East Africa Regional Office, will gather to discuss the latest technological innovations, initiatives and best practice in aid delivery and development strategy in sun-Saharan East Africa. The agenda features panel discussions on supporting resilient livelihoods and strengthening rural infrastructure as well as mobile innovations to support community resilience.

For more information about the event and to register, please visit africa.aidforum.org