Experts and policymakers say African countries collectively need to strengthen efforts in developing more highways as a means of realizing of sustainable growth in Africa.
Road sector experts attending the African Road Maintenance Funds Association’s (ARMFA) Annual General Assembly in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa emphasized the importance of accelerating the continent’s road development sector to realize inclusive growth. They say special emphasis should be placed on regular road maintenance and road safety measures.
Rashid Mohammed, president of the ARMFA, says poorly maintained and impassable roads are the major challenges that hindered rural farmers in many African countries from realizing the fruits of their hard work.
“Africa’s sustainable economic growth is contingent on the development of reliable road infrastructure, coupled with proper maintenance and preservation,” Mohammed said.
International Road Federation Chairman, Kiran Kapila, also stressed the need to work on improving quality of the continent’s highways and transportation infrastructure.
According to Kapila, a well-connected network is essential for Africa’s efforts towards a strong economy. He further expressed his belief that by maintaining strong desire and with the ongoing efforts, “Africa can certainly realize its Agenda 2063.”
The African Union’s (AU) flagship Agenda 2063, among other things, emphasized intra-Africa trade and the free movement of people in the continent, which necessitates investment in developing the continent’s current road sector.
According to the AU, the lack of infrastructure in Africa is widely recognized, in which deficits of infrastructure have clear impact on African countries’ competitiveness.
African countries, particularly south of the Sahara, are among the least competitive in the world, and infrastructure appears to be one of the most important factors holding them back, according to AU’s Program Infrastructure Development for Africa (PIDA).
