The Africa Think Tank for Infrastructure Development has called for global partnerships and Nigerian participation at the G20 Summit, scheduled to take place in South Africa in November 2025.

Sylvester Akhaine, the director of strategic communication, and Alfred Chiakor, the director of planning and implementation at ATTID, made this call during a press conference in Ikeja.

Speaking on the theme, ‘The Imperatives of Global Partnership for Africa’s Infrastructural Development’, they expressed concern over Africa’s massive infrastructure deficit.

They noted that Africa requires $170 billion annually to close the infrastructure gap, emphasising the urgency of international collaboration for economic progress.

Mr Akhaine stated that bridging this gap is essential for the continent’s prosperity and sustainable growth. He encouraged Nigerians to actively participate in the G20 Summit, taking place in South Africa from November 20 to 23, 2025.

He added that ATTID has been approved to host the Infrastructure and Sustainable Development side event at the summit.

“This side event, holding before the main summit, will gather world leaders, CEOs of global development and financial institutions, regulators, and infrastructure entrepreneurs,” he said.

He added that it will take place at the Lakewood Conference Centre in Johannesburg from November 20 to 21, under the theme ‘Enhancing Africa’s Infrastructure Transformation Agenda through Investments and Partnership’.

Mr Akhaine shared insights into Africa’s investment outlook, infrastructure statistics, and compared its status with developed economies. He called on global and African investors to seize the opportunity for impactful investments with long-term returns.

Mr Akhaine listed roads, energy, water, sanitation, ports, and airports as crucial for economic development and regional integration. He noted that Africa suffers systemic infrastructure challenges that hinder the continent’s full potential.

“With rising population and urbanisation, the situation is worsening, making infrastructure development a critical priority for sustainable growth,” he stated.

He cited the African Development Bank, noting that Africa needs $130–$170 billion yearly for infrastructure across energy, transport, water, and urban sectors. He also referenced the World Bank’s 2023 report, which showed Sub-Saharan Africa’s fiscal deficit rose from 4.8 per cent to 5.2 per cent of GDP between 2021 and 2022.

According to him, the side event will strengthen engagement among governments, investors, regulators, and infrastructure providers.

Other participants will include regional economic commissions, venture capital firms, and international development bodies.

He outlined key investment opportunities Nigerians and other stakeholders should explore during both the main and side events. 

(NAN)