The priority list of projects selected after a rigorous process based on the new criterion, is on track to be approved by the Heads of States during the AU Summit in February after the recent validation by the recent Ministerial STC meeting that took place on the 12th of January 2021. It is our firm belief that with the redefined approach we will see accelerated implementation of key infrastructure projects.

On 1st of January 2021 our continent marked a historic milestone as trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) kicked off. Whilst Africa has always traded amongst herself, intra Africa trade has been fraught with many challenges including logistical and trade barriers to name a few. At 16.6% of total trade, as a percentage of total African exports, intra African Trade remains low compared to other continents. The AfCFTA is expected to redefine intra African trade as it creates the largest single market in the globe. However, there are fundamental aspects that must be in place to
enable this to happen. One key component is the requisite infrastructure. Therefore, developing robust infrastructure is crucial to its operationalisation and success of the AfCFTA. Member States must be seamlessly connected physically and digitally through hard infrastructure and connected in the
harmonisation and coordination of processes through soft infrastructure. The Integrated Corridor Approach is expected to ensure that all related corridor infrastructure, link to and complement each other as a critical enabler of the AfCFTA.

This report provides a broad update of the implementation of PIDA to date