African Development Bank has said African countries could save as much as $299 billion annually by improving the efficiency of public investment and infrastructure spending. The bank said stronger project planning, transparent procurement systems, and better implementation practices could significantly reduce waste and improve development outcomes across the continent.
According to Nairametrics and CNBC Africa, inefficiencies in project execution, delays, corruption, weak institutional capacity, and poor maintenance continue to undermine the impact of public investments in many African economies. The institution noted that improving governance and accountability could unlock substantial economic value and accelerate infrastructure delivery.
The AfDB said more efficient investment management would help African governments maximise limited fiscal resources at a time when many countries are facing rising debt pressures, infrastructure financing gaps, and growing population demands. Analysts estimate that Africa requires hundreds of billions of dollars annually to close deficits in transport, energy, healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure.
Development experts say improving public investment efficiency could strengthen economic growth, boost investor confidence, and accelerate industrialisation across the continent. They add that better infrastructure execution remains critical for Africa’s competitiveness, regional integration, and long-term sustainable development ambitions.
