The Steering Committee Meeting of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) was held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 16 to 17 March 2026, bringing together senior officials from the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Communities, AUDA-NEPAD, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to review progress and advance the implementation of priority infrastructure projects under the PIDA Priority Action Plan 2 (PIDA-PAP2).
The meeting focused on strengthening coordination and accelerating infrastructure delivery in line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, with opening discussions highlighting the need for stronger institutional alignment and a renewed focus on implementation.
In her keynote address, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission, H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, emphasised the central role of infrastructure in Africa’s economic transformation and called for accelerated execution of priority projects, with particular attention to governance and institutional coordination to move projects towards financial close.
Remarks from Dr. Kamugisha Kazaura, Director of Infrastructure and Energy at the AUC and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee, highlighted the strategic importance of PIDA as a continental framework guiding infrastructure development and regional integration. Contributions from representatives of ECOWAS and AUDA-NEPAD reaffirmed the role of Regional Economic Communities in advancing cross-border infrastructure and strengthening regional connectivity.
Representatives of the African Development Bank and UNECA underscored the importance of strengthened project preparation, coordinated planning and sustained investment to support delivery of priority projects.
The Steering Committee reviewed progress across key sectors, including transport, energy, digital infrastructure and water resources, identifying the need to scale up project preparation, enhance financing mechanisms and strengthen institutional coordination. Participants also emphasised the importance of translating interest from development partners and the private sector into bankable infrastructure projects, building on momentum from the Luanda Infrastructure Financing Summit 2025.
The meeting further examined the Mid-Term Review of PIDA PAP2, highlighting the need for a robust methodology to assess progress and guide implementation. Discussions also addressed the positioning of PIDA Week as a results-oriented platform focused on project preparation and intergovernmental coordination, as well as thematic priorities including transport corridor safety and infrastructure governance.
The second day focused on coordination among Regional Economic Communities, with updates on project implementation and emphasis on alignment and joint delivery of cross-border initiatives.
The Steering Committee agreed on key outcomes, including the finalisation of the Mid-Term Review methodology, strengthened coordination among continental and regional institutions, enhanced project preparation financing support, and improved positioning of PIDA implementation platforms to accelerate delivery.
These outcomes are expected to support the advancement of Africa’s continental infrastructure agenda, strengthen regional integration and promote sustainable economic development.
