Africa’s infrastructure financing deficit, estimated to be $100 billion a year, remains persistently large. The resulting lack of investment in energy, transport and water infrastructure on the continent presents a significant barrier to economic growth and development. Many African countries are again reaching their debt ceilings. There is limited understanding of how the larger infrastructure financing institutions operate and there is no source of information on how these institutions and the private sector respond to African needs. A more clear and informed understanding of the infrastructure finance environment in Africa is needed.

The GEG Africa programme will develop a repository of development finance lending modalities, produce evidence-based research on continental infrastructure priorities, provide input to the South African government on how development finance institutions can increase infrastructure spending in Africa, and contribute to infrastructure financing mechanisms that support debt sustainability.