Bridging Africa's infrastructure gap: pathways to inclusive growth

Africa can leapfrog costly legacy systems – but only with the right financing and governance choices.

Africa’s infrastructure deficits constrain job creation and limit access to energy, transport and digital services. Drawing on the ISS African Futures and Innovation programme’s latest forecasts on large-scale infrastructure and leapfrogging pathways, this seminar examines how decentralised energy, digital public infrastructure and climate-resilient service delivery models can drive inclusive growth. Speakers will also consider the financing and governance choices needed to accelerate delivery amid fiscal pressure, climate risk and rapid urbanisation.

This webinar is co-hosted by the ISS and the AU Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). It is the third in the 2026 Erudite seminar series convened by the two organisations.


Moderator: Mahao Leuta Mahao, Advisor, Africa Policy Bridge Tank, AUDA-NEPAD

Panelists:

• Blessing Chipanda, Senior Researcher, African Futures & Innovation, ISS
• Brando Okolo, Head of Science, Technology and Innovation, AUDA-NEPAD

Image: REUTERS/Esa Alexander

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