Engaging the private sector in climate resilient infrastructure development
NDF, WB, AfDB and AUC come together to discuss how to harness the private sector and mobilise public-private partnerships to unlock delivery on climate resilient infrastructure in Africa
Marrakech 27 February 2018. This morning marked the opening of the third Africa Climate Resilient Infrastructure Summit (ACRIS III) in Marrakech. The ACRIS III follows the successful outcomes achieved in the previous two Summits (2016 and 2017). ACRIS II concluded that there are huge opportunities to integrate climate change resilience into infrastructure development plans in the face of the growth trajectories of African countries. Although climate-proofing of infrastructure could add upfront financial costs to investments, these represent cost-effective opportunities and solutions which also emphasise environmental and social benefits.
The Summit which takes place 27-28 February sees more than 250 representatives of regional African economic and political organisations, river basin authorities, national authorities, financing institutions and the private sector. The Summit has special focus on private sector investment for climate resilient infrastructure in Africa - a fundamental building block for Africa to meet its sustainable development goals (SDGs). Harnessing the private sector and mobilising public-private partnerships is key to unlocking delivery on climate resilient roads, solar and hydro energy, water systems, sustainable land management and coastal management.
NDF’s Managing Director Pasi Hellman highlighted the importance of early upstream public finance in order to be able to leverage private capital for climate resilient investments and mentioned the NDF support to the new Africa Climate Resilient Investment Facility (AFRI-RES) as an important step for incorporating climate aspects in to design and planning of new infrastructure on the continent. Mr. Hellman was part of the opening panel on engaging the private sector and drew on the practical experiences, pioneering and innovative approaches that NDF is applying in climate financing.
The ACRIS III continues tomorrow where Mr. Hellman will participate in a panel discussion on increasing coastal resilience to climate change which is related to NDF’s support to the West Africa Coastal Area Erosion and Adaptation Program (WACA). NDF’s Program Manager Aage Jorgensen will be on the final panel to discuss the way forward through capacity building, leveraging financing and reaching scale on resilient infrastructure. The ACRIS III is hosted by the Moroccan Ministry of Energy, Mining, Water and Environment and is a partnership between the African Union, World Bank, African Development Bank, and the Nordic Development Fund.
