The only pan-African match-making platform focused on presenting bankable projects to potential investors will happen again in 2021.

The annual event Africa PPP happened this year in the virtual space, on 1^st – 2^nd of December 2020, and it ran under the theme ‘Partnering on public infrastructure projects for sustainable development and economic growth’ under the auspices of the Government of Morocco, particularly the Ministry of Finances and the Ministry of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water. The event was supported by the sponsors EGIS, RMB, Webber Wentzel and the associated exhibitor IPS3. It gathered over 200 participants from 30 countries around the world.

The first day of the virtual event put together both public and private sectors from Infrastructure, Energy and Healthcare experts who discussed the impact of the PPP’s to leverage the economies and to create a sustainable development by improving the people’s live quality. The COVID-19 challenges, priorities and the new opportunities were also discussed while the technology and the private investments were mentioned as crucial for a future progress. Morocco, the host country of this edition, presented several projects planned to be implemented. Tunisia shared insights about their business climate and Turkey shared their plans to accelerate infrastructure investment.

The second day of Africa PPP addressed the access to finance during times of turmoil, the transformation on digital infrastructure, issues related to clean water supplies, and finally showcased Africa’s bankable infrastructure projects.

William Lugemwa, Director of UNECA, mentioned Tuesday that countries should promote infrastructure as a key enabler of economic development. In these troubled times, when economies are being hit by the affects of the pandemic this becomes even more relevant. Siyanda Mflathelwa from RMB reiterated this point on Wednesday when she stated that governments are seeking to use infrastructure investment as a catalyst for post covid economic recoveries. This is one of the key reasons AME Trade hold the Africa PPP each year, to play a role in finding home grown solutions to accelerate infrastructure for sustainable economic growth across the continent.

The 13^th Africa PPP is confirmed and will happen in 2021 in Morocco. The conference is the platform of discussion for key decision-makers, projects owners and active players in the market to meet and exchange business while sharing their views to leverage the PPPs across the continent.

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