Enabling the creation of green infrastructure corridors in the AU

Context

Sub-Saharan Africa faces a series of challenges in its quest to build a path to inclusive socio-economic growth. Only 43 per cent of the African population has access to electricity, while less than 24 per cent is connected to the Internet and only 25 per cent of Africa’s road network is paved. Climate change adds to the region’s socio-economic development challenges, amplifying the frequency and impacts of environmental shocks. This affects the poorest households, with long-term impacts on human capital and trade. While Africa produces only 7.6 per cent of worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the continent and its infrastructure assets will be adversely affected if climate change adaptation and mitigation measures are not integrated into infrastructure development. Climate shocks such as natural disasters and changing weather patterns will damage the existing infrastructure, which will have a negative effect on the productive economies of individual countries.

Objective

Through advisory support, the African Union is improving the technically capabilities required to implement low carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure projects and promote cross-border trade.

Approach

GIZ offers (TA) technical advisory support to the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) on the following five components:

1. Developing a continental green infrastructure policy
2. Preparing green infrastructure projects and corridor development
3. Advising micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on digital development
4. Promoting digitalisation in the areas of green infrastructure and trade
5. Implementing a just transition

Last update: May 2023