Opening BUILD Africa a Forum to End the Infrastructure Gap in Africa

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, February 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On February 6th 2014, BUILD Africa (http://www.buildafricaforum.com), Africa's premier international business and investment infrastructure forum opened in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Held over two days, the first edition of the forum will seek to provide a comprehensive response to the continent's infrastructure deficit. BUILD Africa was inaugurated by HE Denis Sassou N'Guesso, President of the Republic of Congo.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/build.png

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1402064.png (BUILD Africa was inaugurated by HE Denis Sassou N'Guesso, President of the Republic of Congo)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1402063.png

Photo 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1402062.png

Photo 4: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140206.png

The first edition of the forum was opened in the presence of:

- Over 700 international participants from 50 different countries

- 10 ministers from across Africa

- 80 international speakers

- 50 international media

How to boost a sustainable development in Africa with new infrastructure?

Infrastructure development is a fundamental requirement for Africa to achieve its growth and development ambitions. In order to implement the projects that Africa needs, the BUILD Africa forum will address the main obstacles to infrastructure development in Africa: job creation, inclusive growth, innovative financing, sustainable development, innovation, and s regional integration, among others.

Bringing the global players of infrastructure

By bringing together more than 700 policy makers, investors, NGOs, operators, developers and infrastructure contractors from around the globe, in particular those from countries have reached emergence thanks to ambitious infrastructure plans. The forum will also stimulate dialogue and action between the global actors of development.

Increase the number of bankable projects across the continent

Other experts have joined the initiative as BUILD Africa's partners: AfDB's Africa50 fund, along with the World Bank have combined their expertise to develop innovative financial, technical and structural solutions to the infrastructure deficit in Africa.

Quotes the opening of the forum BUILD Africa:

"Sustainable modernization in a country must be part of a comprehensive approach to infrastructure, taking into account its social, economic or environmental features. This is the most crucial requirement for infrastructure to become a powerful tool to untie Africa's development potential " Denis Sassou N'Guesso, President of the Republic of the Congo

"Failing to address the challenges of poor infrastructure in Africa is jeopardizing the social and economic development expected by more than 1 billion Africans " Jean- Jacques Bouya, Minister to the President of the Republic for
Spatial Planning and Delegate General for Major Public Works

Key Infrastructure in Africa figures*:

- Africa is experiencing average growth rates of 5% per year

- The investment deficit for infrastructure in Africa exceeds $48 billion per year

- The lack of basic infrastructure costs every country in Africa two percentage points annually

- More than 800 infrastructure projects have been identified in Africa in 2012 (Ernst & Young)

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of BUILD Africa Forum.

More information about http://www.buildafricaforum.com

Julie Voiriot: [email protected] - + 33 6 61 87 29 76

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