Africa’s story in the 21st century is one of promise, contradiction, and pressing priorities. From rapid urbanisation to a booming youth population and unprecedented digital shifts, the continent is rich in potential. Yet behind the headlines lies a stubborn constraint: Africa’s vast infrastructure gap. ALSO READ: Africa’s infrastructure financing surpasses $100 billion in a year It is a quiet crisis with loud consequences. Roads that vanish mid-journey. Power outages that paralyse small businesses. Ports choked with inefficiencies. Hospitals left without electricity. Schools that are inaccessible during the rainy season. These are not just inconveniences. They are deep structural barriers to development, and daily injustices to a generation hoping for more. ALSO READ: Africa’s infrastructure paradox can be mitigated through innovative financing Each year, the continent needs an estimated 130 to 170 billion dollars in infrastructure investment to meet its development goals, according to the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). But currently, only about 80 billion dollars is mobilised, leaving a financing gap of at least 50 billion. That shortfall is growing as cities swell, economies diversify, and climate risks mount. Nowhere is the gap more urgent than in the energy sector. Over 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still live without access to electricity. That’s about 53% of the region's population. And when you consider Africa’s natural advantage in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, the distance between possibility and progress is hard to ignore. The foundation beneath Agenda 2063 The African Union’s Agenda 2063 imagines a self-reliant, integrated, and prosperous continent. But that future won’t arrive on its own. It needs infrastructure – roads, rail, ports, power lines, and fibre-optic cables – to carry it forward. Without these basic enablers, economic growth remains stuck in first gear. That is why the upcoming Infrastructure Financing Summit in Luanda is being watched closely. Slated for late October and hosted by Angola under AU Chairperson President João Lourenço, and with several other heads of state expected, the summit looks to galvanise investment into the continent’s most urgent infrastructure projects. Organisers hope the summit will be more than a stage for speeches. With curated deal rooms and pitch sessions, the event is being positioned as a place where bankable projects can meet real capital. Projects like the Lobito Corridor, Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (Lapsset) and the Abidjan-Lagos road axis are among the major initiatives on the table. One financing source being considered is the vast pool of domestic capital within Africa itself. Each year, over 70 billion dollars sits in African pension and sovereign wealth funds. If just a portion of this were channelled into long-term, de-risked infrastructure vehicles, it could shift the landscape dramatically. Rwanda’s infrastructure-first model Closer to home, Rwanda is an example of what is possible when infrastructure is put front and centre. ALSO READ: Key infrastructure projects to look out for in 2025 In the three decades since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has transformed from a fragile state to one of the most connected and efficient economies in the region. Kigali Special Economic Zone (KSEZ) has become a magnet for manufacturers, thanks to reliable roads, power, and logistics. ALSO READ: AMIS: Rwanda’s digital infrastructure for smart agriculture The government’s investment in broadband infrastructure has earned Rwanda the moniker “Africa’s ICT Hub,” and initiatives like Smart Kigali continue to shape public service delivery. Energy access tells another part of the story. Through grid expansion, off-grid solutions, and public-private partnerships, electricity access has soared from just 6 percent in 2009 to over 80 percent today. As a public health practitioner, I have seen how a single road or solar grid can transform access to services in remote areas. These may seem like small things, but they often determine whether progress reaches communities or stops at the capital. Rwanda is not perfect. But it shows that possibilities are limitless with focused leadership, policy clarity, and smart financing. What’s really at stake Without infrastructure, Africa cannot trade competitively – even with itself. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a target to unlock a 3.4 trillion-dollar market, will stall unless its physical foundations are in place. Without infrastructure, climate adaptation will remain a theory rather than a strategy. As floods, droughts, and food insecurity intensify, green infrastructure – solar microgrids, climate-resilient roads, modern irrigation – must be prioritised. And without infrastructure, Africa cannot create the jobs its young people need. Infrastructure-led industrialisation is one of the few pathways that can absorb labour at scale while catalysing economic diversification. The path forward To change course, Africa must act decisively in three areas: Mobilise more domestic capital: Our pension funds and sovereign reserves must be deployed with purpose. With the right regulatory frameworks and risk-sharing mechanisms, they can fuel long-term projects rather than sit idle. Invest in regional integration: Roads and railways should not stop at borders. Infrastructure needs cross-border coordination, and stronger supranational governance to manage shared corridors. Embrace innovation in financing: Blended finance, project bonds, and new digital tools for procurement and transparency are expanding what’s possible. They must be used more strategically. The truth is, Africa does not suffer from a shortage of master plans or strategy documents. It suffers from a lack of execution. The infrastructure deficit is not just economic; it’s a failure of coordination, political will, and long-term thinking. But the tide can turn. The Angola summit could be more than another high-level gathering. If it leads to real capital commitments, fast-tracked projects, and tighter public-private alignment, it may mark a shift in how Africa builds its future. Infrastructure is not just about concrete and steel. It is about connecting people to opportunity. It is about dignity, mobility, and resilience. It is the bedrock of the Africa we want. The author is a partnerships strategist. He writes on African development, innovation, and policy.
