Infrastructure and PPP delivery the focus of GI Hub Workshop in West Africa

6 December 2019

Source: Gihub

Over 70 participants from 13 countries met in Dakar, Senegal from 26-28 November to participate in a three-day Infrastructure and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Workshop, led by the Global Infrastructure Hub (GI Hub). The workshop aimed to build the capacity of infrastructure policy makers and practitioners to strengthen policy and delivery in francophone Africa.

The agenda was tailored to regional needs, responding to inputs during planning from the workshop’s partners and workshop presentations were delivered in French. Led by Maud de Vautibault, Senior Policy Adviser, and Morag Baird, Director, GI Hub shared best practice and knowledge through interactive sessions focused on the practical application of its online infrastructure tools and guidance, particularly the:

Commenting on the workshop, Maud de Vautibault said: “This workshop allowed the different countries of French-speaking Africa to exchange and share their experiences and best practices on the implementation and management of their long-term infrastructure projects. The themes addressed, whether it be risk allocation, contract management or performance specifications for quality infrastructure, can be applied to all types of infrastructure projects whatever their mode of implementation.

"The diversity and richness of experiences presented by the countries and at the same time the unity of approach of the region guided by the West African Economic and Monetary Union, and the quality of the support provided by the various partners, in particular the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the African Development Bank, the World Bank Group and the Central Bank of West African States made the workshop a success.”

Morag Baird added: “We were delighted to receive such a positive response by the francophone countries in responding to the invitation and attending the workshop. This was matched by the enthusiastic involvement by participants throughout the workshop, and I’d like to thank all those who prepared presentations as well as those that took part in the wider discussions.

"The effective delivery of infrastructure is a challenge in all countries, and I wish the government representatives all the best going forward in developing and implementing quality infrastructure projects that address the needs of their countries.”

GI Hub would like to thank all of the workshop partners: the Senegalese Government, UN Economic Commission for Africa, African Institute for Economic Development and Planning, African Development Bank and NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility, the World Bank and West African Economic and Monetary Union. Significant contributions were also made by the country participants, especially Gabon, Senegal, Mali, Cameroon and Ivory Coast, African Legal Support Facility and advisory firms Allen & Overy, Mott Macdonald and CMS Francis Lefebvre.

Watch the video of the opening session of the workshop

View the presentations from the workshop

View the post-event media release