DAY ONE (US Day)
Wednesday March 23, 2022
Time: 9am-2pm
Day One Theme: The Quest for Green Economy and Resilience Infrastructure
Synopsis
Investments in infrastructure today can shape socio-economic and environmental sustainability of the African continents for decades to come. With the growing appreciation of the impact of climate change, it is important to ensure that infrastructure investments address not only current needs but also future hopes.
The United States of America, under the Build Back Better agenda of President Biden, has unveiled the biggest clean-energy investment in U.S. history, with a $555 billion package of tax credits, grants and other policies aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions that are fueling climate change. The agenda also seeks to create a clean energy and sustainability accelerator to invest in climate-related projects, with at least 40% serving disadvantaged communities.
Where does Africa belong in this agenda? What is the linkage of this agenda with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 that focuses on Building resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation? How can we invest in girls’ education to accelerate Africa’s quest for sustainable infrastructure?
DAY TWO (China Day)
Thursday March 24, 2022
Time: 9am-2pm
Day Two Theme: Exploiting/Exploring Emerging Trends for Rapid Infrastructure Build out – Examples from China
Synopsis
Mobility is essential to economic and social development. Indeed, the mobility of resources is adjudged as perhaps the biggest factor in driving the socio-economic development of a country or region.
The rapid build-out of rail, road, ports both air and sea, is a demonstration of a nation’s commitment to economic growth and progress, increased national productivity and improved standards of living and prosperity.
What can Africa learn from China? What financing model is best suited for the African continent?
DAY THREE (EU Day) – Friday March 25, 2022
Time: 9am-2pm
Day Three Theme: Opportunities in Infrastructure Financing Policy Framework: The nuts and bolts
Synopsis
The World Bank asserts that infrastructure development lies at the nexus of economic growth, productive investment, job creation, and poverty reduction. The truth of this statement necessitates that the sourcing for finance for the development of infrastructure should be backed with an appropriate legal and policy framework to ensure sustainability.
This is important as the participation of the private sector, especially as long-term financiers, in infrastructure projects is expected to continue to increase into the foreseeable future.