SE1: Investing in resilience for Africa: Tools, strategies and partnerships

Infrastructure resilience is key to unlocking Africa’s sustainable development. Despite progress in sectors like energy and ICT, significant gaps remain, with climate extremes costing African nations 2–5 per cent of GDP annually. The continent requires up to $170 billion in annual infrastructure investment to meet Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. Yet only 10 per cent of current financing comes from the private sector, leaving Governments strained and fiscal space shrinking as public debt rises to 71 per cent of GDP on average. Key sectors like transport, where over half of roads remain unpaved, and energy, with access still limited for many, highlight the need for transformative investments. Climate risks further exacerbate challenges, with ports and coastal infrastructure particularly vulnerable. Digital connectivity has surged, with 160 million Africans gaining broadband access between 2019–2022, emphasizing the urgency for resilient systems to support economic growth and public services.

This event will explore strategies to embed resilience into Africa's infrastructure development, focusing on policy, capacity-building and innovative financing. With every $1 invested in resilience yielding up to $8 in benefits, aligning investments with climate and disaster risks is not only necessary but transformative for social and economic progress across the continent. Together, we can "think resilience" and build infrastructure systems that withstand growing climate and disaster risks to accelerate development across Africa.

UNDRR Focal Points:

• Mr. Huw Beynon
• Ms. Nehali Anupriya

Guiding questions:

1. What policy options can Governments in Africa consider to promote resilience and risk reduction through infrastructure investments?
2. What actions can be taken in the financial regulatory and supervisory domain that can ensure disaster risk is accurately priced, accounted for, and disclosed in investment decisions?
3. How can governments be supported to integrate resilience as a core value in infrastructure planning and implementation?
4. What tangible actions need to be taken to boast investment in DRR and resilience in infrastructure in Africa?
5. How can enhanced risk assessments and risk analytics support building a comprehensive benefits case and, ultimately, a more integrated and forward-looking investment pipeline?
6. What tangible contributions and solutions can the scientific, academic, and private sector community offer to accelerate implementation of DRR and resilience, whilst supporting investment in infrastructure?
7. How can the stakeholders in the room achieve deeper connection and collaboration on DRR and resilience?
8. How can the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure Handbook be operationalised at sector level in order to mainstream a ‘think resilience’ approach to infrastructure investment?

Live stream: