Sector Focus

Energy

The development of Africa’s energy lacks behind population, but energy is vital to economic growth. Africa possesses 7.3% of the known world’s oil resources and accounts for 10.2% of the worlds production, but possesses only 3.6% of the worlds refinery capacity. Africa represents 3% of the worlds energy consumption, but is home to 13% of the globes population. Access to energy is the cornerstone of economic, social and political development.

Water and Sanitation

Water is a basic human right. The covenant of economic and cultural rights, adopted in November 2002, states that: “the human right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, affordable, physical, accessible, safe and acceptable water for personal and domestic use”. Quite simply water is life. In Africa, it is estimated that more than 300 million people do not have access to clean drinking water and sustainable sanitation. This could be aggravated by global warming, as rivers are predicted to carry less water by the end of this century, with some even drying up.

Transport

Transportation is not an end in itself, but an important means to other ends: economic, educational, social and personal. Transportation is a link to opportunity. It links workers to places of employment, producers to users of goods and services, patients to healthcare facilities and everyone to family and friends. The inefficient transport system in Africa imposes a high premium on trade, travel and business. Restricted access to transportation limits access to the best possible life. On the other hand, by improving access to transportation, especially to the poor, one can improve employment prospects, reduce the cost of and time spent getting to jobs and schools, or carrying fuel and water and increase market access for products. Limits on mobility are limits on development.

Information Communication and Technology

Information and knowledge have increasingly become essential resources in the global networked economy. To become fully integrated into the global economy and accelerate socio-economic development, Africa needs to develop and exploit these technologies. There is consensus that Africa cannot afford to miss out on the communications and global connectivity revolution. Development without a sound ICT infrastructure and modern communication system is not feasible. Altough much progress has been made, the “digital divide” is still at its extreme in Africa.