2011年-世界发展银行全球_East_Africas_Infrastructure___A_Regional_Perspective_75页_3mb

East Africa's Infrastructure: A Continental Perspective Summary

Core Content

This working paper from the World Bank's Sustainable Development Unit examines the state of infrastructure in East Africa and its impact on regional economic growth. It emphasizes the importance of infrastructure in driving development and highlights the need for a regional approach to infrastructure development due to the region's challenging economic geography.

Main Viewpoints

• Infrastructure's Role in Growth: Sound infrastructure is a critical determinant of growth in East Africa. Between 1995 and 2005, infrastructure improvements contributed 1 percentage point to annual growth, largely due to the spread of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Power infrastructure also positively contributed, adding 0.2 percentage points per year.
• Infrastructure Gaps: East Africa's infrastructure lags behind that of Southern and Western Africa in most indicators, but it is comparable or better than Southern Africa in access to improved water and sanitation and Internet density.
• Economic Geography: The region is composed of seven countries, four of which are landlocked, two have populations under 10 million, and two have GDPs under $10 billion. These characteristics make a regional approach essential for effective infrastructure development.
• Transport Challenges: Surface transport is hindered by border delays, port inefficiencies, and poor administrative procedures. The road network is relatively good, but the average freight speed is only 8 mph, slower than in Southern Africa. The cost of moving a tonne of freight along key trade routes is between $200 and $300, with 80% of the time spent in ports and customs.
• Railway Limitations: There is no significant regional railway network, and existing lines are underused. The region uses different gauges, complicating integration. Only three railway lines span multiple countries.
• Port Inefficiencies: East African ports are costly and slow, with dwell times exceeding international standards. They lag far behind global best practices, leading to congestion and inefficiencies.
• Air Transport: The region has a strong hub-and-spoke system but has made little progress in market liberalization. Air safety standards are generally met, but connectivity remains limited.
• Power Infrastructure: East Africa has the lowest power generation capacity and access to electricity in Africa. However, utility performance is relatively good, with lower system losses and higher cost recovery. Power infrastructure could contribute up to 2.7 percentage points to growth if improved.
• ICT Development: East Africa has made progress in ICT access and pricing, especially with the introduction of submarine cables. However, it still lags behind other regional communities in terms of access and affordability.
• Regional Integration Benefits: A regional approach can help overcome the limitations of small economies, enabling scale economies and better infrastructure performance. It can also reduce costs and improve efficiency across sectors.

Key Information

• Infrastructure Impact on Growth: Improvements in infrastructure contributed 1 percentage point to annual growth in East Africa from 1995 to 2005, with power contributing 0.2 percentage points.
• Growth Potential: If East Africa's infrastructure were improved to match Mauritius, the region could see a 6 percentage point increase in growth, with power being the most impactful sector.
• Transport Corridors: The region has three main corridors: the Northern, Central, and Addis Ababa-Djibouti corridor. The Northern corridor is the most important for trade.
• ICT Development: East Africa has pioneered borderless roaming and seen a significant drop in ICT prices due to submarine cable access. However, it still needs to complete over 3,500 km of terrestrial fiber optic network.
• Power Trade Potential: Regional power trade could reduce energy costs by $1 billion annually if Ethiopia and Sudan expand their hydropower capacity and interconnectors are developed.
• Regional Integration: A regional approach is necessary to improve infrastructure performance, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness. It can also lead to a shift to cleaner energy sources, reducing carbon emissions by over 20 million tonnes annually.

Conclusion

East Africa's infrastructure is at a critical juncture. While the region has made progress in certain areas, such as ICT and water access, it still faces significant challenges in transport, rail, and power. A coordinated regional approach is vital to improve infrastructure, reduce costs, and enhance economic performance. The potential returns on investment in regional interconnection are substantial, with an average rate of return of 20%.