EC urges transport development in Africa
Good transport infrastructures and services are a cornerstone for the development of any region in ensuring trade and movement of goods and people, says a report recently published by the European Commission. Transport is also essential to access employment, health care and education services, but Africa’s transport is affected by many shortcomings, making it impossible to take full advantage of such benefits. The report says that “it is therefore important to continue development efforts benefiting Africa, a continent which must be able to rely on an effective transport system, high-quality infrastructures and coordination between all modes”.
The conclusion of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) regions to support the development of trade, has systematically highlighted the need for improvement in infrastructures to bring supply and demand closer together, says the report. In 2006, the EU adopted the EU-Africa partnership for infrastructures; a framework to develop interconnections between networks in Africa. Today, the EU contributes nearly 30 per cent of the funding allocated to transport infrastructure and, according to the Commission report, “intends to continue cooperating and liaising with European and international financial institutions, particularly the World Bank and the African Development Bank, in order to increase the efficiency and durability of the projects that have been carried out”.
The report says that the level of road density in Africa is still low, 6.84 km per 100 km2 as opposed to 18 km in Asia, with a poorly maintained network. Over 15 African countries do not have railways. Maritime transport accounts for between 92 % and 97 % of international trade, although 80 % of the ships are over 15 years old, as opposed to the world average of 15 %. Transport costs in Africa are some of the highest in the world, representing on average 15 % of export earnings, reaching 50% in cases such as Chad and Malawi, as opposed to 7 % in developing countries on other continents and 4 % in industrialised nations.
Behind the low performance in transport are weak infrastructures, excessive administrative procedures and periods of time spent at borders, says the report. It also points out the absence of governance, a lack of appropriate maintenance, an overloading of trucks and ineffectual security measures.
To tackle such shortcomings, the report underlines the importance of promoting exchange programmes, technical assistance measures or twinning arrangements. Its publication will also trigger debate on how to improve transcontinental connections and come up with possible ways of cooperating using pre-existing instruments.
To read the report click here.