APD2025: Africa Launches $1-A-Day Infrastructure Fund to Drive Continental Growth

In a bold effort to accelerate Africa’s economic integration, the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat have introduced the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2025 Compact, a strategic initiative aimed at transforming infrastructure across the continent.

At the heart of the initiative is an innovative $1-a-day Infrastructure Fund, designed to rally support from 100 million Africans. This fund will finance large-scale projects in energy, transportation, and digital connectivity, key sectors critical to unlocking Africa’s full economic potential.

A Vision for Continental Connectivity

The Compact was officially presented during the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2025, held from January 30 to February 1 at the Accra International Conference Centre. Under the theme “Building Africa’s Single Market: Invest, Connect, and Integrate,” the summit gathered African policymakers, business leaders, and industry experts to strategize on overcoming infrastructure barriers that hinder trade and economic cooperation.

The compact lays out a roadmap with five key pillars for immediate action:

1. Seamless Transport and Logistics Networks
   1. Prioritizing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) for lower travel costs and efficient air cargo movement.
   1. Advancing the Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 to enhance trade through improved port infrastructure.
2. Energy Access and Regional Power Networks
   1. Promoting continent-wide energy security with interconnected grids.
   1. Supporting transformative projects such as the Grand Inga Dam and solar energy hubs in the Sahara and Kalahari Deserts.
3. Digital Transformation for a Unified Africa
   1. Developing a Pan-African digital ecosystem with cross-border mobile money interoperability by 2030.
   1. Encouraging full adoption of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) by 2027.
4. Advancing Healthcare and Social Infrastructure
   1. Expanding domestic pharmaceutical production.
   1. Strengthening digital health solutions to improve medical access.
   1. Prioritizing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education to equip youth with the skills for Africa’s digital economy.
5. Mobilizing Investment for Infrastructure Development
   1. Launching the Integrated Africa Infrastructure Growth Fund, aiming to secure $2 trillion in investments within the next decade.
   1. Leveraging contributions from Africa’s expanding middle class, along with support from domestic capital markets, multilateral financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds.

Leaders Push for Immediate Action

Speaking at the event, Former President John Dramani Mahama underscored the urgency of moving from discussion to execution.

“This is a defining moment for Africa. The commitments we make here must translate into real action. It’s time to break down trade barriers, invest in our future, and build a competitive, self-sustaining continent.”

Meanwhile, AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene announced that the AfCFTA Transit Guarantee Scheme will launch in 2025, a major step toward ensuring smoother trade flows across African borders. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chair of the APN Advisory Council, highlighted Ghana’s mobile payment infrastructure as a model for digital financial inclusion across Africa.

The Africa Trade Torch: A Symbol of Unity

A major highlight of the summit was the lighting of the Africa Trade Torch (ATT)—a private sector-driven initiative reinforcing Africa’s commitment to integrating its markets. The symbolic event underscored the importance of small businesses, women-led enterprises, and youth participation in AfCFTA’s success.

Next Steps for Implementation

The 2025 Africa Prosperity Dialogues attracted over 5,000 participants from 46 countries, including African heads of state, industry leaders, policymakers, and investors. As a follow-up, APN will hold a press conference at the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15-16, 2025, to outline the next steps for implementing the Compact.

Through collaborative efforts, Africa is charting a new course one driven by investment, innovation, and self-reliance to achieve the aspirations of AU Agenda 2063 and a prosperous, interconnected Africa.