Renowned Expert Urges African Countries to Bridge Infrastructure Gap for Economic Restoration
Dr. Tinashe Manzungu calls on African countries to address infrastructure challenges to restore economic growth and prosperity.
KIGALI, RWANDA — Sub-Saharan renowned business and infrastructure development expert Dr. Tinashe Manzungu has urged African countries to work towards bridging the infrastructural gap on the continent for the restoration of the glory of Africa's economies, writes Staff Writer.
Speaking at the recently concluded 4th edition of the Jamie Pajoel International (JPI) Annual Leadership Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, Dr Manzungu expressed concern over the infrastructural challenges that are crippling the growth of trade and economic activities within the continent.
"The key word is prosperity," he said.
"It is not about making business for Africans, but we are saying that for our continent to be a prosperous continent, we have to first address the challenges on the ground that are depriving the economies of growth or glory."
He cited statistics showing that one in five people in Africa has electricity, two to 50% have access to clean water, only 4% of African farmland is irrigated, and more than 60% of the population lacks basic sanitation facilities.
"We have a gap in terms of the provision of infrastructure to provide ourselves with the food that we want," he said.
Dr Manzungu also said that African countries currently have the same infrastructure that was left by their former colonisers and that there is a need to make trade more lucrative within Africa.
"The cost of doing business in Africa is 30 to 40% more expensive because of the poor rail network and harbour facilities," he said.
"It is actually cheaper to trade with a country outside of Africa than within Africa when it comes to logistics."
He urged African countries to work together to bridge the infrastructural gap and said that the money needed to do so could come from entrepreneurs and the private sector.
"According to the UN secretary-general report's estimation, we need 72 billion from now until 2030, in Africa for the continent to come back to its glory," he said.
"And where will this money come from? That is a big question, it should come from you people! Generated by entrepreneurs! Remember, it is not the politicians who build the country, it is the business people."
The conference was held under the theme "Build to Last," and Dr. Manzungu's comments come at a time when African countries are increasingly looking to build their own infrastructure and reduce their reliance on foreign aid.
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