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Paper short abstract:

To bridge the huge infrastructure gap, African cities must explore several financing options - sometimes very complex instruments. Therefore, the research seeks to critique solutions perceived as green, resilient, inclusive, fair, and equal within the sub-Saharan African context

Paper long abstract:

Over the years, the financial sector has evolved to occupy a central role in the world economies by expanding in scope and remuneration - a phenomenon called financialisation. As the African continent continues to grapple with the effects of globalisation, technological advances, for example, blockchains & digital currencies, and the emergence of new economic powers, the financial landscape is likely to become increasingly complex. The critical issue is that due to the growing population in urban centres, African cities are facing an increasing infrastructure gap estimated to reach US$68 billion annually by 2040. However, there is a constraint in the government's ability to fund, and it is expected that 30% of the required funding will be provided by private investment. To bridge this gap, African cities must explore several financing options, all in search of the most sustainable approach for an economy, including public-private partnerships, concessional financing, and innovative financing mechanisms – “the very complex instruments.” Developing sustainable solutions require transitions with trade-offs that must be thoroughly considered, and the road to sustainability comes with serious challenges. The research seeks to critique solutions perceived as green, resilient, inclusive, fair, and equal and enquire if “infrastructure” is a luxury, consumption, public or common good within the sub-Saharan-African context. Through a coproduction design with combined analysis and participatory engagement (bottom-up approach) of all relevant stakeholders – in a public, private, people-first partnership (PPPP*), the proposed research aims to develop sustainable financing frameworks to retrofit and build climate–resilient transport infrastructure.

PPPP- Public-Private-People-first Partnerships