Infrastructure development is a key driver for progress across the African continent and a critical enabler for productivity and sustainable economic growth. It contributes significantly to human development, poverty reduction, and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Investment in infrastructure accounts for over half of the recent improvement in economic growth in Africa and has the potential to achieve even more. The continent needs $95 billion per annum for the next 10 years to meet its infrastructure demands. The demand for infrastructure is driven by rising populations and rapid urbanisation and is causing a shift for all players in the sector. Internationally, the outlook is extremely positive between now and 2020, signalling new business opportunities for the continent’s infrastructure players.
The 7th annual Infrastructure Africa Business Forum will be hosted on the 9 – 10 October 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. With the aim of engaging with African governments and African infrastructure players, the two-day event and showcase exhibition with business-matchmaking will facilitate business connections for Africa’s build programmes and seek to unlock private sector opportunities in infrastructure projects.
Prominent African infrastructure players, government officials, infrastructure experts and business professionals have already confirmed their attendance. The event has the highest level of African and South African endorsement for an infrastructure event on the continent, and provides the business platform for private and public sector players seeking to meet the sector’s national and regional who’s who.
Some of the key issues to be highlighted included in this year’s programme include:
- Africa’s path to growth – How Infrastructure Development will drive economic growth in Africa
- In conversation with Infrastructure CEOs – the leadership view of the African infrastructure business opportunity
- North South Rail Corridor update
- Lessons learnt: Understanding African infrastructure development – The successes and the challenges
- Attracting infrastructure funding – Accessing capital and securing finance to develop projects
- Unlocking Africa’s Industrial Corridors and the role of state owned companies / enterprises
- Infrastructure Partnerships – How PPPs are assisting to develop African Infrastructure and attracting private sector investment
- Improving project bankability is key to bridging Africa’s infrastructure gap – Project preparation and due diligence
- Digitisation in Africa: What technologies are driving the digital revolution
- Transforming Africa – Africa’s transport and logistics infrastructure – The prospective business opportunity
- The role of DFIs in developing Africa’s infrastructure?
- Project identification from an investment led approach to Africa: Kenya
The event has evolved annually and has demonstrated invaluable initiatives in fostering significant business relationships and exploring challenges and opportunities to promote innovation in infrastructure operations, which has made it South Africa’s leading infrastructure event. Attending this conference is a unique opportunity, providing anyone vested in the infrastructure sector with the understanding, knowledge sharing as well as insight into the latest industry trends.
Source: Infrastructure Africa
