The political economy of infrastructure development in Africa: an assessment of the NEPAD Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI) |
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Authors: | Francis Nguendi Ikome Robert Tama Lisinge |
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Affiliation: | 1. AUC/ECA/AfDB Joint Secretariat Support Office (JSSO), Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopiafikome@uneca.org;3. Quality Assurance Section, Strategic Planning and Operational Quality Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
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Abstract: | Using a political economy approach, this article examines the factors that cause high-profile political leaders on the African continent to champion particular regional infrastructure projects within the framework of the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI). It also analyses the extent to which the presence of high-stature political champions enhances the prospects for project implementation. The paper argues that the economic and integrative potential of regional infrastructure projects, alongside the presence of high-stature political champions, do not necessarily guarantee implementation. Rather, it is the interplay of diverse economic, institutional and political factors and interests that determines the successful implementation, or otherwise, of the various championed infrastructure projects. |
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Keywords: | Political economy infrastructure development in Africa Presidential Champion Infrastructure Initiative African common initiatives challenges of implementation |
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