Partnerships aid Africa's transport, energy plans

Africa's ambitious transport and energy plans under the African Union are gaining renewed momentum through international partnerships, particularly with China, officials say.

However, delivery of frameworks such as continental infrastructure plans has been lagging because of funding shortages, outdated systems and coordination challenges, they said.

Speaking at a side event during the Fifth Ordinary Session of the AU Specialized Technical Committee on Transport and Energy in Johannesburg last week, Lerato Mataboge, commissioner for infrastructure and energy at the African Union Commission, said the continent is increasingly prioritizing investments that can unlock stalled projects, particularly in energy systems.