As published by Mano Florian in the African Times
Africa50 Chief Executive Officer, Alain Ebobissé, has called on African nations to take the lead in addressing the continent’s infrastructure challenges, emphasising that the means to close the gap are already within Africa’s reach.
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Speaking in Maputo on Wednesday during Africa50’s annual general meeting, held under the theme “Mozambique and Africa50: Uniting Infrastructure, Connecting Continents and Transforming Lives”, Ebobissé stressed the urgency of accelerating action.
“The truth is that the solutions to Africa’s infrastructure deficit are already before us. Africa can and must lead the efforts to bridge this gap, while working with our non-African partners. We have the strategy, the capital, and African institutions such as Africa50 with proven implementation models. Our mission now is to scale up and move faster because Africa’s infrastructure needs are urgent,” he said.
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Pledges Major Investments in Mozambique
During the event, Africa50 signed agreements with the Government of Mozambique to finance the construction of three high-voltage electricity transmission lines and a data centre in Maputo.
The projects include: a 220 kV line from Metoro, in Cabo Delgado province, to Marrupa, in Niassa province; a 400 kV line linking Chumuarra, in Zambezia province, to Inhaminga, in Sofala province; a 220 kV line from Metoro to Namialo, in Nampula province.
The data centre project aims to strengthen Mozambique’s digital infrastructure and boost connectivity.
Ebobissé also underlined the importance of sustainable energy investments, noting that Mozambique’s abundant natural gas reserves can play a key role in Africa’s energy transition while driving industrialisation and cleaner growth.
“We are strong advocates of a balanced energy mix that proudly includes natural gas,” he added.
Across Africa, Africa50’s projects have helped provide electricity to more than 40 million people in recent years, according to Ebobissé.
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Founded by African governments and the African Development Bank, Africa50 aims to close the continent’s infrastructure financing gap by developing projects, mobilising investment, and funding key initiatives.
It currently has 37 shareholders.
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Mozambique Achieving Universal Energy Access by 2030
At the opening of the meeting, the Mozambican government reaffirmed its commitment to achieving universal energy access by 2030 through an integrated strategy combining energy market development, industrialisation, and investment attraction.
This strategy will leverage the Cahora Bassa hydropower plant and the planned Mphanda Nkuwa dam — expected to generate 1,500 MW and supported by a high-voltage transmission line spanning up to 1,400 kilometres between Tete and Maputo.
The government highlighted that electricity access in Mozambique has increased from 31% to 62% of the population since 2018, a progress described as a significant step toward national electrification and economic transformation.
This article has been published in partnership with the African Times.
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