Press Releases

Transport infrastructure key to Africa’s growth

The key issues involved in the development of Africa’s transport infrastructure as a major factor in the continent’s economic growth will be identified for discussion and action at the second annual NEPAD Transport and Infrastructure Summit 2010 and Africa Expo on 13-15 October at the Gallagher international convention centre in Midrand, north of Johannesburg. Other infrastructure sectors will also be under the spotlight, including energy, water and ICT."The need for economic growth to match Africa’s population growth is putting pressure on all forms of commercial transport, on roads, railways, air and on the sea ports," said summit director Tanitha Jolly.

The summit, which is endorsed by the African Union, is a major effort to prioritise and promote infrastructure development across the continent against the backdrop of a recently published World Bank report which blames poor infrastructure for inefficiencies and wastage costing Africa billions of dollars a year.Government leaders, policymakers and experts from Africa and overseas will come together with top executives from the private sector, industry decision-makers, investment bankers and other stakeholders to discuss the continent’s most pressing infrastructure needs.

"Road and rail construction in the cross-border trade corridors as well as operation and ongoing maintenance are of major concern for the representatives of the regional economic communities," said Jolly. "And the development of facilities at the main harbours affect everybody."The need for investment and the opportunities for investment are enormous and will be carefully scrutinised at the summit by executives from the donor agencies and investment banks ," she said. Presentations on possible solutions to immediate and long-term infrastructure needs will be made by international experts, leading the way for discussions at sector-specific parallel sessions where delegates can debate and seek consensus, exchange ideas and experiences.

The summit will also include the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Projects of Excellence Awards 2010 where projects are recognised and honoured for their contribution to the future of the continent in line with the objectives of NEPAD and the African Union. Delegates at the summit regard it as a "must" to visit the showcase Africa Transport, Trade and Infrastructure Exhibition (ATTIEX), where Africa’s latest technologies, products and services are all on display. A special business networking service for delegates, Meetings Direct, which was introduced with great success at the 2009 summit will be available once again. Meetings Direct sets up one-on-one meetings for delegates with similar business interests,enabling them to start immediate discussions without the usual effort of conference networking. Source : NEPAD News, monday, 12 July 2010 10:57

Water issues high on agenda of NEPAD Infrastructure Summit

The wide range of issues involved in the development, management and protection of Africa’s water resources together with other development sectors — transport, energy and ICT — will on the agenda at the second annual NEPAD Transport and Infrastructure Summit 2010 and Africa Expo to be held on 13-15 October at the Gallagher international convention centre in Midrand, north of Johannesburg. The summit, which is endorsed by the African Union, is a major effort to prioritise and promote infrastructure development across the continent against the backdrop of a recently published World Bank report which blames poor infrastructure for inefficiencies and wastage costing Africa billions of dollars a year.

Government leaders, policymakers and experts from Africa and overseas will come together with top executives from the private sector, industry decision-makers, investment bankers and other stakeholders to discuss the continent’s most urgent infrastructure development issues. The crucial role of water in these issues will be the focus of presentations by international experts who will not only be covering the immediate challenges but will also be raising the continent’s long-term needs.

A sector-specific parallel session will provide the opportunity for delegates to discuss the issues and exchange ideas and experiences in the search for consensus and solutions. Among the areas to be covered are : clean water and sanitation ; water for industry and agriculture ; national policies and strategies ; finance and investment ; and regional cooperation and integration. The summit will also include the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Projects of Excellence Awards 2010 where projects are recognised and honoured for their contribution to the future of the continent in line with the objectives of NEPAD and the African Union. Delegates at the summit regard it as a "must" to visit the adjacent showcase Africa Transport, Trade and Infrastructure Exhibition (ATTIEX), where Africa’s latest technologies, products and services are all on display. Source : NEPAd - Monday, 12 July 2010 10:56

Africa’s energy needs under the spotlight at NEPAD Infrastructure Summit

Africa’s energy needs under the spotlight at NEPAD Infrastructure SummitEnergy demand and poor energy infrastructure which make Africa ripe for expansion and development will be under the spotlight when urgent African infrastructure issues in key development sectors — the others are transport, water and ICT — are discussed at the second annual NEPAD Transport and Infrastructure Summit 2010 and Africa Expo on 13-15 October at the Gallagher international convention centre in Midrand, north of Johannesburg.

The summit, which is endorsed by the African Union, is a major effort to prioritise and promote infrastructure development across the continent against the backdrop of a recently published World Bank report which blames poor infrastructure for inefficiencies and wastage costing Africa billions of dollars a year. Government leaders, policymakers and experts from Africa and overseas will come together with top executives from the private sector, industry decision-makers, investment bankers and other stakeholders to discuss the continent’s most pressing infrastructure needs.

Keeping up with the ever-increasing demand for power in all parts of Africa, generation and distribution, the looming problems of climate change and the drive for alternative sources of energy will all feature in the discussions. Presentations on possible solutions to the immediate and long- term needs will be made by international experts, leading the way for discussions at sector-specific parallel sessions where delegates can debate and seek consensus, exchange ideas and experiences. The summit will also include the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Projects of Excellence Awards 2010 where projects are recognised and honoured for their contribution to the future of the continent in line with the objectives of NEPAD and the African Union.

Delegates at the summit regard it as a "must" to visit the showcase Africa Transport, Trade and Infrastructure Exhibition (ATTIEX), where Africa’s latest technologies, products and services are all on display. A special business networking service for delegates, Meetings Direct, which was introduced with great success at the 2009 summit will be available once again. Meetings Direct sets up one-on-one meetings for delegates with similar business interests,enabling them to start immediate discussions without the usual effort of conference networking.Source : NEPAD - Monday, 12 July 2010 10:54

The eyes of the world on the NEPAD TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT

The key role of cross-border transport – road, rail, air and maritime - in the development of Africa’s Transport infrastructure will top the agenda at the second annual NEPAD Transport and Infrastructure Summit 2010 and Africa Expo to be held on 13-15 October at the Gallagher international convention centre in Midrand, north of Johannesburg.

The summit, which is endorsed by the African Union, will also prioritise and promote infrastructure development across the continent focusing on energy, water and ICT. In tandem with the summit will be the Africa Transport, Trade and Infrastructure Exhibition (ATTIEX), where Africa’s latest technologies, products and services are all on display. The summit will also include the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Projects of Excellence Awards. A special business networking service for delegates, Meetings Direct, sets up one-on-one meetings for delegates with similar business interests, enabling them to start immediate discussions without the usual effort of conference networking.

Government leaders, policymakers and experts from Africa and overseas will come together with top executives from the private sector, industry decision-makers, investment bankers and other stakeholders to discuss the continent’s most urgent cross-border transport issues affecting road, rail, air, sea routes and ports. Source : Thursday, 27 May 2010 11:10