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Africa’s infrastructure deficit takes spotlight at pre-G20 event

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..Two-day side event in Johannesburg seeks to mobilize global capital and deepen intra-African investment.

Africa’s infrastructure challenges and investment opportunities will take center stage when global leaders, financiers and development experts gather in Johannesburg for a high-level side event ahead of the G20 Summit in November.

In a press release signed by its president/CEO, Dr. Alfred Chiakor, and made available to journalists in Abuja, the Africa Think Tank for Infrastructure Development (ATTID) announced that it will host the Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Side Event on Nov. 20–21 at the Capital Empire Hotel in Sandton.
The meeting, themed “Enhancing Africa’s Infrastructure Transformation Agenda through Investments and Partnership,” will proceed the Nov. 22–23 G20 Summit of industrialized natio South Africa under the chairmanship of former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, with Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Special Guest of Honour and Irina Unkovski , international PPP and infrastructure specialist, as the Keynote speaker.

Organizers say the forum will bring together world leaders, executives of international development agencies, global banks, private investors, and regional economic commissions to chart a roadmap for transforming Africa’s infrastructure backbone. The gathering is expected to set the tone for deeper global partnerships at the G20 and beyond.

Africa’s infrastructure deficit remains one of the continent’s biggest barriers to growth, according to ATTID. The African Development Bank estimates that the region needs between $130 billion and $170 billion annually to meet its development goals in energy, transportation, water, sanitation, and urban systems. Poor infrastructure, officials note, has already cost African economies up to 40% in productivity losses and sliced two percentage points off annual growth.

Despite these gaps, the investment picture is shifting. Foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to Africa climbed from $53 billion in 2023 to $97 billion in 2024, or about 6% of global FDI, UN Trade and Development data show. North Africa led the inflows, buoyed by energy and transport projects, while sub-Saharan Africa saw rising intra-regional investment from players such as Dangote Group, MTN, and leading Nigerian banks.

Still, the continent faces steep hurdles. The World Bank reports that 22 African countries are at high risk of debt distress, and sub-Saharan Africa’s median debt-to-GDP ratio has nearly doubled since 2010. Weak road networks, underperforming railways, and costly transport logistics continue to stifle regional trade, which accounts for just 31% of commerce compared with 53% in emerging Asia.

ATTID leaders argue that innovative financing and partnerships are crucial. The side event will highlight successful models such as Egypt’s $10 billion Ras El Hekma megaproject with the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia’s light rail system, and the AfDB-backed Enugu-Bamenda Highway linking Nigeria and Cameroon. Such initiatives, they say, prove Africa can deliver high returns for investors while addressing pressing development needs.

The forum’s agenda includes business sessions on financing models, regional linkages, and public-private partnerships. Organizers expect the meeting to generate new investment pipelines, strengthen advocacy for infrastructure funding, and foster collaboration between governments, international lenders, and private sector stakeholders.

“The side event provides an auspicious window to deepen intra-African and global investment,” said Dr. Chiakor. “It is a clarion call to investors to tap into Africa’s infrastructure transformation that promises enduring returns.”

By the close of the two-day summit, ATTID hopes to secure commitments that will accelerate Africa’s integration into global value chains and position infrastructure development as a pillar of sustainable growth. Observers say the discussions in Johannesburg could shape Africa’s economic trajectory for decades, and help ensure the continent’s fast-growing population of 1.5 billion people benefits from inclusive development. He maintained.

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There’s Political Genocide Against Christians in Northern Nigeria – Aisha Yesufu

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By: Fabian Apechihin

Sociopolitical activist Aisha Yesufu has accused Nigerian political leaders of perpetuating what she described as a “political genocide” against Christians in Northern Nigeria.

Yesufu made the remark on Tuesday in response to American comedian and TV host Bill Maher, who recently alleged that Nigerian Christians are facing coordinated attacks.

Maher, speaking on his HBO show, said, “I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009 and burned 18,000 churches. These are the Islamists, Boko Haram.”

Reacting via her X handle, Yesufu criticized what she called hypocrisy among Nigerian politicians who express concern over Christian persecution yet supported the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket during the 2023 elections.

“You are shouting that Northern Christians are being persecuted, but you championed a Muslim-Muslim ticket! Their Christianity was not Christian enough for you during the 2023 election,” she wrote.

She concluded by calling for greater attention to what she termed the “political genocide” against Northern Christians, urging consistency in both words and actions when addressing religious and political marginalization in Nigeria.

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Jagunmolu to Kwarans: Don’t lose hope in govt on security challenges

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Jagunmolu and Asiwaju of Igbomina, Alhaji Chief (Dr) Abdur-Raheem Oladimeji, has expressed optimism that the rising insecurity in parts of Kwara State would not overwhelm the state.

He identified the incidences of banditry and kidnapping for ransom as a passing phase, which was designed by unscrupulous elements to destabilise Kwara.

Oladimeji, who is the Founder, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin and Baba Oba of Offa Kingdom, said this in a statement issued in Ilorin on Monday in response to the recent security breaches in some communities in Kwara North and Kwara South.

He urged the residents of affected communities, and Kwarans at large, not to lose hope in the ability of the government and security agencies to tame the roughnecks and restore peace to their communities.

The Arogundade of Lagos described the terror campaign as an unconventional warfare that requires tactics and wisdom on the part of the military to tackle, pointing out that the attackers often cowardly withdraw to their shells after visiting attacks on their victims.

He cautioned those who are out to profit from the ruins of the affected communities by making mockery of the situation with reckless comments to stop forthwith.

Oladimeji also warned against scaremongering being created over the security challenge, urging vigilance and making useful information available to security agencies on any strange movements in their communities.

“Let us be wary of scaremongers, who have made it their daily habit to create imaginary fear as a result of which people are thrown into panic mode. That there is security breach has not been denied. However, we need to be careful and circumspect on the information unauthorized individuals circulate on the issue of insecurity,” the varsity founder noted.

Jagunmolu, who doubles as President-General, AROIF, appealed for calm, unity, security consciousness, while commending the government for its proactive intervention to rout out the unscrupulous element.

He praised the gallantry of military personnel and other security operatives, calling for words of encouragement among the people to boost the morale of the armed personnel.

Oladimeji sympathised with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the recent tragedy and called for additional deployment of security personnel to troubled areas for quick restoration of permanent peace.

“We need to pray for peace and justice to return to Igbomina land, Kwara and the entire country so that we can overcome our moment of trial and tribulation. Our people should take it as a matter of duty to report strange movements to the security agencies and constituted authorities,” Jagunmolu added.

END.

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Northern Christians Urge Tinubu to Resettle Displaced Persons in Benue, Plateau, Borno

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By: Fabian Apechihin

Northern Christian leaders have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently resettle displaced persons in Benue, Plateau, and Borno States, many of whom have remained in camps within and outside Nigeria years after violent attacks forced them from their ancestral homes.

The appeal was made in Jos, Plateau State, during a meeting with the President, which clerics described as a renewed opportunity to highlight the plight of displaced communities in Northern Nigeria. The leaders were in Jos to attend the funeral of Mama Lydia Yilwata, mother of Prof. Nentawe Yilwata, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Rev. Dr Amos M. Mohzo, President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) and Chairman of the Heads of Denominational Leaders on the Plateau, lamented that more than 200,000 people from Gwoza in Borno State still remain in refugee camps in Cameroon and Chad.

“We humbly appeal to you, Mr President, to help bring them back home. In the same vein, we are calling for a lifeline for displaced communities in Plateau and Benue States. Rebuilding their livelihoods and housing will reposition them for meaningful life and productivity,” Mohzo said.

He commended the President’s efforts to strengthen national security and support for state police, stressing that resettling displaced families was critical for peace and stability in the North. Mohzo also thanked Tinubu for key appointments of Northern Christians—including Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, and Prof. Nentawe Yilwata as APC National Chairman—and urged broader inclusion of Christians in governance.

Similarly, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Northern Nigeria, reinforced the call, urging Tinubu to establish a Special Presidential Reconstruction Initiative to rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, and provide social infrastructure for displaced families.

“Our people cannot continue to live in camps when their ancestral homes have been taken over. We are appealing to Mr President to act with urgency so that these Nigerians can return home and live meaningful lives again,” Hayab said.

The clerics pledged continued commitment to peace and national unity, assuring the President of their support for policies that promote justice, inclusivity, and human dignity. They also extended condolences to Prof. Yilwata, the Ngas nation, and the people of Plateau State over the loss of Mama Lydia Yilwata.

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