AfricaRoads 2012 will take place at Sandton’s Convention Centre on 28 February, bringing together industry professionals to explore the developmental potential of Africa’s infrastructure.
It’s no secret that Africa’s infrastructure is lacking, especially when it comes to roads and transport. The four-day conference will provide fertile opportunities for investment, finance and growth in Africa’s roads sector.
The majority of countries on the continent are still connected by dirt roads that are not only dangerous to travel because they change with the weather, but also because they are inaccessible to a number of vehicles. Simply put; poor infrastructure is bad for cross-continental business and trade. The AfricaRoads summit aims to bring together industry players such as government department heads and policy makers, cable owners and operators, telecom operators, carriers and suppliers who want to create new business, generate business leads and network with key industry players to find solutions to the problems faced in this sector.
Guest speakers at the event include the likes of Dr. Emeka Agbasi – the head of monitoring of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency; Peter Copley – a transport specialist at the Development Bank of Southern Africa; Arthur Coy – CEO of Trans African Concessions; and Joseph Haule – the manager of the Roads Fund Board. On the agenda for discussion are the following topics: exploring key criteria needed to develop ideal partnerships; planning as a cost controller and a critical part of project delivery; assessing Africa’s readiness for tolling as a revenue stream; sourcing capital for infrastructure development; the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project; and the link between developing roads and economic growth. The event will also have various workshops that delegates can attend, where they will be given the chance to network, experience new technologies, and share knowledge through demonstrations and discussions.
In a continent brimming with investment opportunities, Africa’s road infrastructure needs to be able to sustain its own growth. For investors interested in staking a claim in this sector, Africa’s infrastructure development promises a wealth of opportunities. AfricaRoads 2012 is the place to be to explore these options and assist the continent’s development.
