Alamau building transcontinental infrastructure for economic cooperation

AFRICAN
DEVELOPMENT BANK
www.alamau.org
BUILDING TRANSCONTINENTAL
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
ECONOMIC COOPERATION
ALAMAU 2019

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Table of Contents
Acronyms and Abbreviations ....................................................................................................................2
Letter from the Chairperson......................................................................................................................3
About the Committee................................................................................................................................4
Statement of the Issue ..............................................................................................................................5
Current Trends ..........................................................................................................................................8
Railway Projects …….……………………………..…………………………...……………………………….8
Road Transportation........................................................... ………………………………………………….9
Air Transportation ......………………………………………………………………….……………………..10
Case Studies ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Case Study One: The Trans-African Highway Network (TAH)................................................................... 11
Case Study Two: The North-South Corridor …………………………………………………………………13
Stakeholders ........................................................................................................................................... 15
Proposed Solutions................................................................................................................................. 16
Questions a Resolution Must Answer...................................................................................................... 18
References............................................................................................................................................... 19

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Acronyms and Abbreviations
The African Development Bank (AfDB)
The African Leadership Academy Model African Union (ALAMAU)
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The East Africa Community (EAC)
The Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS)
The European Union (EU)
The Model African Union (MAU)
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA)
Regional Economic Community (REC)
The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)
The Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Trans-African Highway (TAH)
The United Nations Economic Committee for Africa (UNECsA)
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

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Letter from the Chairperson
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to the African Leadership Academy
Model African Union (ALAMAU) and specifically
the African Development Bank (AfDB)!
My name is Jesse Mwangi and I go by Jesse
Forrester. I had been a debater in Kenya prior
to studying at the African Leadership Academy
(ALA), though I experienced the Model United
Nations (MUN) for the first time at ALA. As I
started the International Relations Council
classes, I noticed veterans of the MUN;
students who understood parliamentary
procedure and spoke without fear. Of course,
there will be people just like this at ALAMAU - you may even be one of them! Either way, in my committee
everyone is on the same level, no matter how many MUNs you have attended. The most important
consideration is to stand up and let your voice be heard. (So long as you have read the Study Guide…)
You may also be surprised to hear that despite my initial discouragement, I was selected to represent
ALA at the Georgetown MUN in Qatar. I felt pressure to do well, especially as the team had done an
excellent job the previous year. Nevertheless, when I got there and took the microphone to speak, I felt
nerves and then strength. After my first official MUN, I won the best delegate award in my committee
and was thoroughly pleased with myself!
In this guide, you will find details on a complex issue. Ultimately, I hope you grasp the urgency that
faces our continent to move towards a more integrated infrastructure system. If you have any
questions, please reach out to me on: Jmwangi17@alastudents.org
All the best,
Jesse Mwangi
Chairperson
The African Development Bank

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About The Committee
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is an African Union (AU) committee focused on the socio-
economic development of Africa. It aims to support the reduction of poverty, the improvement of living
conditions, and the mobilization of resources for the continent's social and economic growth. 1
At ALAMAU 2019, the AfDB will discuss the financial and logistical questions related to cross-continental
infrastructure.
1
ALAMAU. "Committees - ALAMAU". 2018, http://www.alamau.org/committees/#1465077018958- 39b0a-bb28. Accessed 17
Nov 2018.
Source: https://bit.ly/2AT1jcz

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Statement of the Issue
Terminology
Transcontinental: passing or extending across a continent.2
In terms of this topic, it can refer to the
Trans-African Highway (TAH), which is a road network spanning the length of the continent.
Additionally, a transcontinental inland waterway system refers to the integration of waterways across
Africa.
Waterway System: a river, canal, or other body of water serving as a route,3
including for the
transportation of people, goods and services.
Corridor: a narrow tract of land forming a passageway to connect two major cities. Alternatively, it
refers to an outlet to the sea from an inland country.4
One example is the Eastern Africa Transport
Corridor.
History and Background
The importance of transportation cannot be emphasized enough; in fact to many, it is considered the
'lifeline' of a nation.5
Africa is the world’s second largest and second most populous continent in the
world with a land area of 30.4 million square km.6
This adds urgency to the need for a seamless network
of integrated transport. Moreover, according to the Institute for Transport and Development Policy,
60% of Africans will be living in urban areas by 2050.7
This will directly affect the ways in which people
travel, whether for employment, trade or tourism.
Africa's current transport network is rooted in its history. During the period of British imperialism,
financier and British colonial statesman Cecil John Rhodes strove to connect Cape Town to Cairo to
solidify the British Empire’s grip on Africa. While favoring the construction of a road system, he made
plans for a colonial railway network with routes inland to the ports,8
which assisted in extracting and
exporting resources back to England. Since then, much of the road system has been in a dilapidated
state.9
It is clear, however, that improving the road and rail infrastructure would significantly contribute
to economic growth in Africa and help maximize its resources. This was emphasized in The Economist;
“potholed roads and missing rail links get in the way of economic growth… Landlocked countries suffer
2
Dictionary.com. “Transcontinental.” https://www.dictionary.com/browse/transcontinental. Accessed 14 Nov 2018.
3
Dictionary.com. “Waterways.” https://www.dictionary.com/browse/waterways.Accessed 14 Nov 18
4
Dictionary.com. “Corridor.” https://www.dictionary.com/browse/corridor. Accessed 14 Nov 2018.
5
The Economic Times. "Why Transport Infrastructure Is Most Important For Country's Progress." 2018,
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/why-transport-infrastructure-is-most-important-for-countrys-
progress/articleshow/50865730.cms. Accessed 5 Nov 2018.
6
The Tralac Centre. "Connecting Africa: Role of Transport Infrastructure". 2018, https://www.tralac.org/news/article/12896-
connecting-africa-role-of-transport-infrastructure.html. Accessed 13 Oct 2018.
7
Institute for Transportation And Development Policy. "Africa - Institute for Transportation and Development Policy." 2018,
https://www.itdp.org/where-we-work/africa/. Accessed 30 Oct 2018.
8
Global Security, https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/uk-cape-to-Cairo-railway.htm. 2018. Accessed 6 Nov
2018.
9
The African Development Bank, “Review of the Implementation Status of the Trans-African Highways and the Missing Links.”
https://web.archive.org/web/20070128052858/http://www.afdb.org/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/ADB_ADMIN_PG/DOCUMENTS/N
EPAD_INFORMATION/TAH_FINAL_VOL2.PDF. 2018. Accessed 11 Nov 2018.

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the most. Transport costs can make up 50-75% of the retail price of goods in Malawi, Rwanda and
Uganda. Shipping a car from China to Tanzania on the Indian Ocean coast costs $4,000, but getting it
from there to nearby Uganda can cost another $5,000.”10
Utilizing Africa's major rivers for transport could offset the costs incurred when transporting with road
and rail, as inland waterways are cheaper.11
Additionally, this method could serve well for the shipment
of heavy goods. Nevertheless, many rivers are non-navigable;12
a significant challenge especially
considering that such waterways are scarcer in Africa than in any other continent. Even small boats can
only travel a limited distance in the majority of African rivers due to waterfalls and cascades.13
In terms of air transport, almost all
African countries currently have
their own airlines, demonstrating
significant growth in this area.
Moreover, the AU Agenda 2063
recently revealed an ambitious
plan to construct a Single African
Air Transport Market (SAATM).14
With twenty-six countries having
signed up by July 2018, many
benefits have been proposed. As
highlighted by the International Air
Transport Association, “enhanced
connectivity will stimulate
demand, improve the
competitiveness of the African
airline industry, and make air
travel more accessible. In turn, this will enable higher volumes of trade, expanded tourism and growing
commerce between African nations and with the rest of the world.”15
Furthermore, the SAATM is
underpinned by a strong regulatory paper discussing competition, consumer protection and dispute
settlement.
10
The Economist. “Get a move on.” 2013. https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2013/02/16/get-a-move-
on?frsc=dg%7Ca
11
The Maritime Executive. "A Trans-Africa Inland Waterway System?" 2018, https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/a-
trans-africa-inland-waterway-system. Accessed 27 Oct 2018.
12
Navigable: deep and wide enough to provide passage to ships. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/non-navigable
13
Sowell, Thomas. “Thomas Sowell: Geography and man have all but killed Africa.” 2005.
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/600148308/Geography-and-man-have-all-but-killed-Africa.amp
14
The African Union. "About Agenda 2063 | African Union". 2018, https://au.int/en/agenda2063/about. Accessed 1 Nov 2018.
15
IATA. “IATA Welcomes Single African Air Transport Market but Says Effective Implementation is Key.” 2018.
https://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2018-01-28-01.aspx
‘Single African Air Transport Market targets more nations.’ https://ubm.io/2G2ok2y

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While certainly an inspiring initiative, constructing one airline for the continent presents significant
complexities and potential dangers, particularly concerning the prospect of having an extensive
amount of data in one place. The management of the airline would also be intensive, as would the
attempt to calculate the share of profits between member countries and the negotiation of
employment opportunities for all involved.
Conclusion
Africa needs to provide an efficient infrastructure system for two billion people in less than thirty-two
years if it aims to keep up with its population growth. In response to this challenge, transport in Africa
is evolving, however significant hurdles remain.

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Current Trends
Many countries in Africa are rapidly grasping the importance of transport links to their economies.
In turn, they are diversifying their investment in transport infrastructure.
Railway Projects
Africa has historically been
reliant on road transport,
which has had severe
implications. As mentioned by
the Trade Law Centre, “this
imbalance between road and
rail has resulted in significant
road rehabilitation costs,
environmental impact
including pollution and major
externalities such as road
accident deaths.”16
Rail
transport is nevertheless noted
as the primary mode to
transport bulky goods in Africa
and it offers some of the most
valuable new projects across
the continent.17
A noteworthy
example in this regard is the
Mombasa-Nairobi high speed
railway, 18
which is Kenya’s most substantial infrastructure project since independence. The railroad is
aimed at transporting half the goods that arrive at East Africa's largest port in Mombasa, in comparison
to the mere five percent carried by the old colonial-era train.19
Furthermore, it is offering a four-and-a-
half hour journey for a trip that used to take a day to complete. Plans are underway to expand the
16
Trade Law Centre. “North-South Rail Corridor study: An example of what Africans can achieve when working together.”
https://www.tralac.org/news/article/11669-north-south-rail-corridor-study-an-example-of-what-africans-can-achieve-
when-working-together.html
17
The African Union. "About Agenda 2063 | African Union". 2018, https://au.int/en/agenda2063/about. Accessed 1 Nov 2018.
18
Railway Technology. "Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway Project - Railway Technology." 2018, https://www.railway-
technology.com/projects/mombasa-nairobi-standard-gauge-railway-project/. Accessed 10 Nov 2018.
19
Duggan, Briana. Muktar, Idris. “Nairobi to Mombasa high-speed railway opens.”
https://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/31/africa/kenya-nairobi-railway/index.html
Source: http://bit.ly/2SB4dKr

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railway into western Kenya and to connect it with six other East African countries, which could further
open markets and trade in the region.20
Another important example is South Africa’s completed Gautrain which is a high speed rail project that
connects important points within the Johannesburg-Pretoria corridor running through the OR Tambo
International Airport and the Sandton financial district.21
Furthermore, Nigeria is currently constructing
the Lagos-Ibadan-Kano Railway,22
the advantages and challenges of which are detailed in the
preceding infographic. As it stands, this project is moving at a gradual pace given its expense; the
Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi confirmed that it would require approximately N4 trillion
(~$11million) to complete.23
Road Transportation
States across the continent are aiming to modernize their roads to meet the necessary demands. While
hurdles remain, Africa has experienced immense development in this regard. With significant Chinese
investment into the creation of varied projects,
tens of billions of United States Dollars (USD) is
continually getting pumped into this arena.24
This is exemplified in Uganda through its
construction of the 51 kilometer Entebbe-
Kampala express highway, which links the
Entebbe International Airport to the capital,
Kampala. This highway is expected to minimize
the journey time on an extremely congested
route from several hours to approximately half
an hour. Mozambique is also creating Africa's
longest suspension bridge; 25
the Chinese-built
Maputo Bridge and Link Roads, which will
become a critical passageway to South Africa.26
20
Ibid.
21
Gautrain. "Gautrain | For People on The Move." 2018, https://www.gautrain.co.za/. Accessed 16 Nov 2018. Africa
Construction Trends Report. Deloitte, New York, 2018
22
Africa Business Communities. "Chinese Firm, Nigeria Sign $6B Lagos-Kano Rail Project Agreement". 2018,
https://africabusinesscommunities.com/news/Chinese-firm-Nigeria-sign-$6b-rail-project-agreement/. Accessed 9 Nov 2018.
23
Channels Television. “Completing Lagos-Kano Railway Project Will Cost N4trillion – Amaechi.”
https://www.channelstv.com/2018/11/22/completing-lagos-kano-railway-project-will-cost-n4trillion-
amaechi/?utm_source=FB&utm_medium=ChannelsTv&utm_campaign=SNAP%2Bfrom%2BChannels+Television
24
Deloitte. https://www2.deloitte.com/za/en/pages/energy-and-resources/articles/africa-construction-trends-report-
2017.html. Accessed 7 Nov 2018.
25
Kristen, Elise. "Africa's Longest Suspension Bridge Opens In Mozambique." Getaway Magazine, 2018,
https://www.getaway.co.za/travel-news/africas-longest-suspension-bridge-opens-in-mozambique/. Accessed 13 Nov 2018.
26
New China. “Backgrounder: Mozambique's Chinese-built Maputo Bridge and Link Roads.”
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-05/13/c_137175965.htm

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Air Transportation
International airports in Africa are generally robust, with
leading airports including the O.R Tambo International
Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa and Cairo’s
International Airport. It is key to note that “the continent's
airlines have reported their best performance since 2012,
with passenger demand up 7.4%.”27
Africa's demand for air
transport is expected to increase with the growing
population. Nonetheless, numerous Africans located in
remote areas still cannot afford basic services, let alone an
air ticket. The development of unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs), otherwise known as drones, is therefore an
innovative initiative that can serve this collective. Through companies such as Cloudline,28
UAVs deliver
essentials goods and services to Africans without access to adequate infrastructure. As such, they
provide an alternative, cheap and temporary solution while governments continue to build crucial
transport links.
Conclusion
Many African states and private companies are thinking strategically about infrastructure. While the
rail, road and air options are advancing, some projects are extremely costly. Nevertheless, they promise
to deliver financial return as well as the opportunity to leverage resources and improve the quality of
life of Africans.
27
Brophy, Selene. “Africa air travel on the rise, showing massive 7.4% growth.”
https://www.traveller24.com/News/Flights/africa-air-travel-on-the-rise-showing-massive-74-growth-20170203
28
Cloudline. “Bringing sustainable logistics access to remote communities.” https://flycloudline.com/. Accessed 21 Nov 2018
A UAV. www.flycloudline.com

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Case Study One: The Trans-African Highway Network (TAH)
In 1971, the United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa
(UNECA) released a largescale
plan to pave 57 233 km of road.29
Named the Trans-African Highway
(TAH), it comprised nine major
highways to boost trade and
development in Africa.30
The
economic benefit projected for
this project is considered to be
tremendous, mainly because an
interconnected transportation
system would link ports to the
hinterlands.31
Progress Report
Four decades have passed since the TAH was initiated, yet progress remains relatively stagnant. 10 400
km of rail and 7 000 km of the road corridor are missing, and it would cost $32 billion to complete. In
Central Africa, only 3,891 km of the planned 11,246 km of road has been paved, meaning that 65%
remains unconstructed in that region.32
The challenges facing the construction of the TAH are multi-fold:
i. Evidently, conflict is a major hindrance. Road infrastructure work is virtually impossible in
unstable parts of the continent, including in Libya, in parts of Nigeria wherein Boko Haram
militias terrorize areas, in the horn of Africa and parts of East Africa experiencing civil war and
terrorism, and in perennially unstable parts of Central Africa.33
As governments in these areas
29
Sulaiman, Philip. "Stalled On The Trans-Africa Highway | Brand South Africa". Brand South Africa, 2018,
https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/investments-immigration/economynews/stalled-on-the-trans-africa-highway. Accessed
2 Nov 2018.
30
Whitehead, Eleanor. "Trans-African Highway Remains a Road to Nowhere" How We Made It In Africa, 2018,
https://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/trans-african-highway-remains-a-road-to-nowhere/39863/. Accessed 1 Nov 2018.
31
Sulaiman, Philip. "Stalled On The Trans-Africa Highway | Brand South Africa". Brand South Africa, 2018,
https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/investments-immigration/economynews/stalled-on-the-trans-africa-highway. Accessed
2 Nov 2018.
32
Whitehead, Eleanor. "Trans-African Highway Remains A Road To Nowhere." How We Made It In Africa, 2018,
https://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/trans-african-highway-remains-a-road-to-nowhere/39863/. Accessed 1 Nov 2018.
33
In On Africa. "In Fits and Starts, The Trans-African Highway Extends Its Reach | IOA". 2018,
https://www.inonafrica.com/2018/07/10/in-fits-and-starts-the-trans-african-highway-extends-its-reach/. Accessed 1 Nov
2018.
The Trans-African Highway Network. Madote.com

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concentrate on allocating resources to security concerns, they are not as focused on developing
infrastructure.
ii. As it stands, most funding in Africa is as a result of foreign grants and loans, which the AfDB
stated in a report on the TAH is not likely to change in the foreseeable future.34
China in
particular has heavily invested in African infrastructure. The implications of this dependency
for projects such as the TAH needs to be seriously considered, as it is not necessarily
sustainable.
iii. The AfDb cites difficult terrain and climatic conditions as partially responsible for a lack of
development on the TAH. This includes the harsh conditions in the Sahel that reduce the
durability of tarmacked roads, leading to high maintenance costs, and the thick jungle and
rough terrain in Central Africa.35
iv. Many countries prioritize their national development over the development of transcontinental
infrastructure. It is therefore hard to ensure that countries follow through with greater
development plans.
If a clear strategy is not carved out, the amount of lost revenue would be immense. Moreover, the
barriers to trade and the drain on an already strained infrastructure would increase.
Conclusion
The TAH has vast potential, but it has been more than four decades without having made significant
progress. As such, questions remain regarding whether this project should advance and if so, how it
could be sustainably funded and able to overcome its current challenges.
34
The African Development Bank, “Review of the Implementation Status of the Trans-African Highways and the Missing
Links.”
35
The African Development Bank, “Review of the Implementation Status of the Trans-African Highways and the Missing
Links.”

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Case Study Two: The North-South Corridor
Recognized as Africa's most important
trade route,36
the North-South Corridor has
emerged as a multi-modal transcontinental
network. Hence, it uses road, rail, and ports
to connect Cape Town in the south of the
continent to Cairo in the north of the
continent. 37
With links from the port of
Durban in South Africa to the Copperbelt in
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as
well as Zambia, this plan strives to act as an
intra-African trade platform to link the
Southern African Development Community
(SADC) region. 38
In fact, it directly involves
seven countries; Botswana, the DRC,
Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa,
Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The road network alone covers approximately 8599km whereas the rail network will have an additional
600km, the costs of which are 9.1 billion USD and 800 million USD respectively. 39
By deliberately
reducing the number of goods transported by road, the North-South Corridor aims to maximize the
efficient, reliable delivery of goods. Such a landmark project is therefore split into different phases and
sections and is currently at varying levels of completion. 40
The Beitbridge Border Post
The Harare-Beitbridge Highway is expected to be one of the most instrumental pieces of infrastructure
on the North-South corridor. Located at the border of Zimbabwe and South Africa, this spot is
recognized as the busiest border crossing in Southern Africa,41
with an estimated number of 15000
36
Transport World Africa, 2018, http://www.transportworldafrica.co.za/2016/01/15/north-south-corridor-africas-main-vein/
8. Accessed 5 Oct 2018.http://www.africanreview.com/transport-a-logistics/logistics/road-transport-is-realising-africa-s-full-
potential
37
Ibid
38
The Infrastructure Consortium for Africa. "For Funding Facilities". ICA, 2018, https://www.icafrica.org/en/topics-
programmes/north-south-corridor/. Accessed 15 Nov 2018.
39
The Infrastructure Consortium for Africa. "For Funding Facilities". ICA, 2018, https://www.icafrica.org/en/topics-
programmes/north-south-corridor/. Accessed 15 Nov 2018.
40
James, Mani. “Business Impacts in Africa. Mega Trends Driving Mega Opportunities in Sub Saharan Africa.”
https://www.slideshare.net/futurewatch/mega-trends-driving-mega-opportunities-in-sub-saharan-africa
41
Business Day. "Beitbridge Border Post Revamp And Expansion Project Get Rolling". 2018,
https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/world/africa/2018-07-12-beitbridge-border-post-revamp-and-expansion-project-get-
rolling/. Accessed 1 Nov 2018.
North South Corridor, Iru.org

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people and five hundred trucks daily. As such, the
Zimbabwean government has planned to inject $200
million into revamping the border post going into the
highway.42
As stated by the Zimbabwean President Emmerson
Mnangagwa, the developments would “enable the
border post to be more competitive by becoming the
shortest and most efficient international gateway
through which north bound travellers, goods and
services can pass.”43
Furthermore, in addition to the
physical infrastructure, an Integrated Border
Management Information System is expected to be
added to harmonize the coordination among border
agencies.44
Conclusion
The North-South Corridor is anticipated to leverage the
development of the SADC region. Particular parts of the
project, such as the Beitbridge Border Post, are making
headway in developing an efficient and dependable
transport system.
42
Ibid
43
The Herald. “B/Bridge upgrade to boost trade, revenue.” https://www.herald.co.zw/bbridge-upgrade-to-boost-trade-
revenue/
44
The Herald. “B/Bridge upgrade to boost trade, revenue.” https://www.herald.co.zw/bbridge-upgrade-to-boost-trade-
revenue/
‘Driving into a new future: Loaded trucks queue on the
Zimbabwe side of Beitbridge border post waiting to
enter SA. The busy border post is to be refurbished and
expanded.’ https://bit.ly/2L2NfEB

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Stakeholders
The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)
NEPAD is the implementing agency of the AU aimed at facilitating the development of continental
initiatives, mobilizing resources and engaging regional economic communities (RECs). It is specifically
working towards Africa's Agenda 2063; the long-term outline for socio-economic transformation.45
With
these points in mind, NEPAD has been instrumental in supporting the development of infrastructure on
the continent.
The UNECA
Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN), as the regional
arm of the UN and a key part of Africa’s landscape, UNECA strives to promote the socio-economic
development of its member states, foster intra-regional integration and promote cooperation for
Africa's development.46
As the original stakeholders in the TAH in 1971, UNECA has contributed towards
laying the foundations for further transport integration in the continent.
The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA)
The PIDA is an initiative aimed at mobilizing resources to
transform the continent through modern infrastructure.
It has 51 cross-border infrastructure projects that
comprises hundreds of sub-projects across energy,
transport, transboundary water, and Information and
Communication Technology sectors.47
The PIDA has
accordingly been tasked with the creation of African
infrastructure in line with Agenda 2063. In particular, it
been instrumental in the progress of the North-South
Corridor.
The RECs
These are regional groupings of African states, each of which have developed individually with varied
roles and structures. Overall, RECs aim to facilitate regional economic integration between members
of individual regions48
and in doing so, hold potential as one of the most efficient grouping to integrate
Africa's infrastructure.
45
NEPAD. "About Us | NEPAD". 2018. http://www.nepad.org/who-we-are/about-us. Accessed 7 Nov 2018.
46
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. “Overview.” https://www.uneca.org/pages/overview. 2018. Accessed 7 Nov
2018.
47 Programme For Infrastructure Development In Africa. "PIDA - About Us". 2018, http://www.au-pida.org. Accessed 7 Nov
2018.
48 The African Union. "Regional Economic Communities (Recs) | African Union". 2018, https://au.int/en/organs/recs.
Accessed 7 Nov 2018.
https://bit.ly/2Uj9pEh

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Proposed Solutions
The Wide Scale Adoption of Rail
An interconnected transport system built on the foundations of a good railway network, which can
progressively intersect with other forms of transport, would support Africa’s attempt to tackle its
infrastructure gap. The reasons for this are multiple:
i. Rail is the most dependable form of transportation,49
as it is the least affected by weather
conditions such as rain.
ii. According to Forbes, rail is 99.9% safe with regards to accidents, making it much safer than
roads.50
iii. It can complement road transportation, as it can transport bulky goods and road transport can
then deliver to the exact location.
iv. Rail is cheaper, as the initial fixed cost of building a train drops as time passes. This is due to the
fact that train tracks are durable and accordingly do not need the regular maintenance of an
asphalt road, for example. Moreover, operating a rail line requires fewer present staff. 51
Evidence of movement in this regard is offered by developments such as the Lagos-Ibadan-Kano
Railway,52
as well as the Trans-African Railway expected to link the port of Dakar to the port of Djibouti.
This railway is expected to “offer the best lever for economic development as well as a vehicle of
communication and, potentially, of peace."53
Leveraging RECs
RECs have a prominent role to play in the realization of a transport-integrated continent. With the
developmental agendas of individual countries in mind, RECs could easily work with neighboring
countries to ensure that their regional plans map out in line with the AU wishes for those areas.54
Connecting the dots would require macro-level coordination to understand the ways in which the plans
feed into each other. While this is a complex task, African countries have made some strides in this
49
Linkedin. "Advantages And Disadvantages Of Railway Transportation". 2018, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/advantages-
disadvantages-railway-transport-nazanin-zare/. Accessed 30 Oct 2018.
50
Bradley Jr, Robert. "Rail Transport: 99.9% Safe". Forbes, 2018,
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertbradley/2014/02/05/rail-transport-99-9-safe/#53fe78101eaf. Accessed 18 Nov 2018.
51
Linkedin. "Advantages And Disadvantages Of Railway Transportation". 2018, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/advantages-
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52
Africa Business Communities. "Chinese Firm, Nigeria Sign $6B Lagos-Kano Rail Project Agreement". 2018,
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53
Cairn. "Finance Et Bien". 2018, https://www.cairn.info/revue-finance-et-bien-commun-2007-3-page-34.htm. Accessed 15
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54
Yurtoglu, Nadir. "Http%3A%2F%2Fwww.Historystudies.Net%2Fdergi%2F%2Fbirinci-Dunya-Savasinda-Bir-Asayis-Sorunu-
Sebinkarahisar-Ermeni-Isyani20181092a4a8f.Pdf".History StudiesInternational JournalOfHistory,vol 10,no.7, 2018,pp. 241-
264. History Studies International Journal Of History, doi:10.9737/hist.2018.658.

Page | 17
regard, as demonstrated by the North-South Corridor and the Maputo Bridge and Link Roads,55
which
accomplish both national and more regional agendas.
In terms of the TAH, a regional block such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
would benefit enormously from strong cooperation. Not only does the railway opportunity offer to
connect the East and the West of Africa, but it provides the potential for a free trade zone and regional
peace. In turn, this offers the possibility for economic integration and the free movement of goods and
people.
55
The South African. "China Just Built The Longest Suspension Bridge In Africa Connecting Maputo And KZN". 2018,
https://www.thesouthafrican.com/maputo-catembe-bridge-africa-china-kwazulu-natal/. Accessed 15 Nov 2018.

Page | 18
Questions a Resolution Must Answer
1. Africa faces transportation costs that are 50- 175% higher than the developed world56 and the
current required amount to bridge the infrastructural gap is $900 billion.57 As such, African
countries lack the necessary capital to construct their infrastructure and have accordingly
taken multiple loans to finance their development. This opens states to the danger of debt and
loan defaults and the concomitant loss of strategic national assets. Given these threats, how
can the continent be creative yet practical in its approach to funding? What alternative funding
models can it consider?
2. The key to African prosperity is cooperation. Considering that multiple countries have their
national agendas and developmental plans, how can they be incentivized to participate in
regional and continental transport initiatives? Moreover, how can Africa leverage the potential
of RECs in this regard?
3. Africa is endowed with most of the factors of production, including labor, entrepreneurship and
land. How can countries negotiate on, and contribute to transcontinental initiatives through
these factors?
4. Africa is acknowledged as the youngest continent in the world,58
with a population that is
growing at an exponential rate. What investments can and ought to be made in the next three
decades to adequately prepare for the population explosion, while potentially leveraging the
possibilities offered by youth?
56
In On Africa. "In Fits And Starts, The Trans-African Highway Extends Its Reach | IOA". 2018,
https://www.inonafrica.com/2018/07/10/in-fits-and-starts-the-trans-african-highway-extends-its-reach/. Accessed 1 Nov
2018.
57
Sy, Amadou. "Financing Africa'S Infrastructure Gap." Brookings, 2018, https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-
front/2013/10/09/financing-africas-infrastructure-gap/. Accessed 2 Nov 2018.
58
Quartz Africa. "The Youngest Continent Will Keep Being Run By Its Oldest Leaders". 2018,
https://qz.com/africa/1162490/the-youngest-continent-keeps-on-being-run-by-the-oldest-leaders/. Accessed 19 Nov 2018.

Page | 19
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