For two decades, the NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF) has shown that infrastructure is not just about roads, power lines, or bridges—it’s about people. By connecting communities, stimulating local economies, and expanding access to essential services, NEPAD-IPPF has become a cornerstone of Africa’s sustainable development journey. The 40th Oversight Committee Meeting, held virtually on October 27, 2025, marked both a strategic milestone and the Facility’s 20th anniversary. The session gathered donors, Regional Economic Communities, specialized agencies, and development partners to review progress and outline a renewed roadmap for a more connected, inclusive, and resilient Africa.
Since its inception, NEPAD-IPPF has supported 113 regional projects in energy, transport, ICT, and water, mobilizing over USD 13 billion in downstream investments. Beyond these figures lies a profound human impact: millions of Africans now have improved access to electricity, clean water, education, and markets, thanks to cross-border projects that strengthen regional integration and unlock opportunities.
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Transport corridors backed by NEPAD-IPPF have cut travel times and logistics costs, connecting schools, markets, and hospitals to previously isolated areas. In the energy sector, regional power interconnections are lighting homes and small businesses, creating jobs, and fueling local industries. “At the heart of NEPAD-IPPF’s work are people,” said Mike Salawou, Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development. “We don’t just build infrastructure — we build pathways to equity and prosperity.”
The 2026 Work Programme, endorsed during the meeting, allocates USD 16 million to accelerate project preparation under the PIDA-PAP 2 framework. The new phase prioritizes deeper regional collaboration and aims to ensure that infrastructure development benefits young people and women, strengthening Africa’s capacity to generate inclusive, sustainable growth. According to Ambassador Ben Marc Diendéré, Canada’s Permanent Observer to the African Union, the Facility’s impact extends far beyond construction: “Each project prepared by NEPAD-IPPF represents a stronger community, a more connected economy, and a continent moving forward together. It’s an investment in Africa’s future.”
From Germany, Birgit Pickel, Director-General for Africa at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), praised NEPAD-IPPF’s catalytic role: “Over half of the projects prepared have reached financial close and are now under implementation, driving clean energy, mobility, and digital connectivity. Behind every project are families thriving, young people creating businesses, and regions opening to the world.”
With the continued support of multiple international partners, NEPAD-IPPF remains a leading force in preparing viable, bankable, and impactful infrastructure projects across the continent. Its mission aligns closely with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a prosperous, green, and interconnected Africa. Two decades on, the message is clear: investing in infrastructure means investing in people. NEPAD-IPPF stands as a testament to how visionary partnerships and smart project preparation can translate Africa’s potential into tangible progress and lasting transformation.
