The development of infrastructure in Africa is critical for fostering economic growth and improving the living standards of Africans. It contributes significantly to human development, poverty reduction, and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Investment in infrastructure accounts for over half of the recent improvements in economic growth in Africa and has the potential to contribute
even more.

It is for this reason that infrastructure development across Africa remains central to the African Development Bank’s mission as espoused in its High 5s transformative agenda, covering the period 2015-2025.

As part of its infrastructure development efforts, the Bank launched the Africa Infrastructure Knowledge Program (AIKP) to improve the availability of statistical information on infrastructure development across Africa. The Bank also introduced an Africa Infrastructure Index (AIDI) to monitor the status and progress of infrastruture development across the continent. This brief presents the latest AIDI information on progress made by African countries using data collected by the Bank under its AIKP. It also discusses the reasons behind the latest trends.

The present bulletin extends coverage to the period 2000–2018. The annual AIDI updates present selected indicators that comprise the Index’s major components, namely: (i) electricity; (ii) transport; (iii) ICT; and (iv) water and sanitation.

The AIKP program aims to provide an effective and sustainable platform for data collection and analysis on Africa’s infrastructure sectors. The Africa Infrastructure
Development Index (AIDI) serves three key objectives, namely: (i) to monitor and evaluate the status and progress of infrastructure development across the continent; (ii) to assist in resource allocation within the framework of ADF replenishments; and (iii) to contribute to policy dialogue within the Bank and between the Bank, African countries and development partners.

It also aims to institutionalize infrastructure data collection in Africa by mainstreaming infrastructure statistics in the work programs of National Statistical Agencies.

Full report attached

Report by AFDB