Dakar Financing Summit (DFS) for Africa's infrastructure : Statement By Carlos Lopes, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA

Abstract

Statement by Carlos Lopes UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA at the Dakar Financing Summit (DFS) for Africa’s Infrastructure Ministerial Business Session. Mr. Lopes, on his remarks highlighted that, Africa’s aspiration for sustained and inclusive development is a well-known fact. It is indeed the second pillar of pan-Africanism and African Renaissance, which is the theme of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the African Union. It is accordingly important for Africa to leverage its current growth to bring about structural transformation. Increased productivity and value addition within the continent will help to bring this about. The key challenge is that of having instruments, mechanisms and the institutional structures that will enable the deployment of some of these domestic resources to the provision of infrastructure. Other key policy issues that should gain the attention of this august gathering relate to the issue of efficiency and of increasing private sector participation.