A 20-year journey of impact: NEPAD-IPPF's story
The NEPAD-Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF), an initiative hosted by the African Development Bank, recently celebrated its 40th Oversight Committee Meeting, marking two decades of transformative work in Africa's regional infrastructure development. But here's where it gets controversial: is this a success story or a missed opportunity? Let's dive in.
On October 27, 2025, the online meeting brought together key stakeholders, including donor representatives, partner institutions, and regional authorities. The committee reviewed and approved annual reports, work programs, and technical assistance funds, with a focus on accelerating regional infrastructure projects and collaboration.
Since its inception, NEPAD-IPPF has supported an impressive 113 regional projects across critical sectors, committing over $124 million and mobilizing over $13 billion in investment. This achievement was celebrated by Mike Salawou, Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development, who emphasized the role of steadfast donor support.
"Our partners, the Regional Economic Communities, Power Pools, and others, are at the core of our operations," Salawou stated. He highlighted the facility's alignment with global and regional initiatives, such as the G20 Toolkit and the African Union's PIDA PAP 2, in accelerating corridor development and project pipelines.
Ambassador Ben Marc Diendéré, Canada's representative, reaffirmed Canada's long-standing partnership, emphasizing its alignment with Canada's priorities for inclusive growth and sustainable development in Africa. Birgit Pickel, Director-General for Africa (BMZ), commended NEPAD-IPPF's impressive track record, noting that over 60 projects have reached financial closure or completion, catalyzing over $13 billion in investment.
Other donor countries, including Spain and the UK, praised NEPAD-IPPF's achievements and its role in advancing Africa's infrastructure agenda. But here's the part most people miss: while these achievements are impressive, some argue that more could have been done to address Africa's vast infrastructure needs.
NEPAD-IPPF's mission is to provide financial and technical assistance to African countries and regional bodies to prepare bankable infrastructure projects. By pooling donor resources, the facility aims to strengthen Africa's infrastructure investment pipeline. To learn more about this initiative and its impact, visit [link to website].
What's your take on NEPAD-IPPF's journey? Is it a success story or a work in progress? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's spark a discussion!
