African Union Commission, UK partners discuss infrastructure investment for PIDA projects
Date: 2026-03-13
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
African Union Commission has held discussions with representatives from the
United Kingdom to strengthen cooperation on continental infrastructure
development and accelerate the implementation of priority projects across
Africa.
The
meeting took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the African Union
Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Lerato D. Mataboge, met with the
Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the African Union,
Adam Drury. The engagement also involved representatives from the UK Africa
Infrastructure Board and the UK Department for Business and Trade.
Discussions
focused on advancing the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa
(PIDA) and its current Priority Action Plan, known as PIDA PAP2. The plan
includes 69 key regional infrastructure projects requiring an estimated
investment of 161 billion US dollars across sectors such as transport, energy,
water and digital infrastructure.
Participants
explored ways to move these projects from assessment stages to full
implementation by strengthening collaboration with the United Kingdom. The
talks highlighted opportunities to leverage the UK’s financing mechanisms and
private sector expertise to improve project preparation, attract private
investment and enhance the bankability of priority initiatives.
Officials
noted that the partnership forms part of broader efforts by the African Union
Commission to build strategic frameworks and partnerships that support regional
integration and accelerate the delivery of infrastructure projects aligned with
the continent’s long-term development agenda under Agenda 2063.
