African countries to spend $25 billion on infrastructure to boost trade and development

Despite years of political paralysis, governments, transport authorities and developers across the continent are continuing to invest widely in road and rail infrastructure with a view of linking states, boost trade and improve transport network in Africa.

African countries are expected to spend US$25.1 billion over the next five years to prepare and deliver the transport infrastructure required to spearhead economic developments across the continent.

Tanzania- East Africa’s second largest economy and one of Africa’s biggest per capita aid recipients, increased its budgetary allocation by 85 percent in its 2011 budget, thereby accounting for an upward adjustment of US$1.71 billion.

The construction of Kigamboni Bridge at the tune of US$130 million is currently underway in Tanzania. The bridge will connect Dar-es-Salaam to the Kigamboni Peninsula in that country.

The project includes construction of two reinforced concrete pylons of a cable stayed bridge with centre span of 250 meter and total bridge length of 680 meter, installation of coated stay cables and anchorages, according to Olivia Modisakeng of International Quality and Productivity Centre.

In Kenya, the government also allocated substantial amounts of funds to improve inter-country transport projects, linking Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Sudan.

The project is expected to facilitate smooth passage for imports and exports within and beyond the East Africa region.

Huge inter-continental projects linking African countries are shaping up.

The Northern Corridor project which starts from Kenya’s Port of Mombasa, serves that country, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Central Corridor which begins from the Port of Dar-es-Salaam links Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC.

Key players in Africa’s transport system expected to converge in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi from February 6-9, 2012, where they will highlight the progress on various ongoing rail and road projects at a gathering dubbed “Bridges Africa 2012”.