<\/p>\n
This is as Africa intensifies efforts to build resilient, interconnected infrastructure systems that support growth, regional integration and structural transformation.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The session, the AU\u2019s highest ministerial platform for transport and energy, comes amid a shifting global geopolitical environment in which African states are seeking to strengthen internal capacity, reduce external vulnerabilities and position the continent more strategically within global value chains.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ahead of the meeting, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Lerato D. Mataboge said the Commission has finalised preparations to present a focused agenda aligned with Africa\u2019s most urgent infrastructure priorities, with an emphasis on turning continental frameworks into practical outcomes.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIn an increasingly complex global environment, we must strengthen ownership of our development agenda, deepen intra-African trade, and advance infrastructure systems that are interconnected, efficient, and future-ready,\u201d Mataboge said. She added that delivery will depend on stronger alignment, accelerated implementation and a deliberate focus on projects that generate real economic impact.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The meeting builds on the Fourth Ordinary Session held in Zanzibar in 2023, where ministers called for faster delivery and stronger alignment between continental priorities and national implementation.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The AU said measurable progress has already been recorded across flagship initiatives. Strategic corridors are advancing, including the Abidjan\u2013Lagos Highway, a project spanning more than 1 000 km and valued at about $15 billion under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa framework. Electricity access has also improved, rising from about 51% in 2017 to over 61% in 2023, connecting more than 120 million additional people.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ministers will also deliberate on emerging initiatives, including the Ubuntu Legacy Initiative and the Africa Ten\u2011Year Infrastructure Investment Plan for Cross\u2011Border Connectivity, aimed at scaling coordinated investments in priority regional corridors. Proposals to strengthen governance mechanisms and mobilise climate finance for transport and energy projects are also expected to feature.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In line with the committee\u2019s rules, the session will also include the election of a new Bureau, with Ethiopia set to hand over Chairship to newly elected leadership for the next term.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–AU\/ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":32086,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"news-type":[78,44],"class_list":["post-32085","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-featured","news-type-finance","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"The African Union (AU) Commission, in partnership with the Government of South Africa (SA), will convene the Fifth Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Transport and Energy in Johannesburg from April 27 to April 30, 2026. ","published_date":"","news_description":"The African Union (AU) Commission, in partnership with the Government of South Africa (SA), will convene the Fifth Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Transport and Energy in Johannesburg from April 27 to April 30, 2026. ","form_embed":"","author":"","image_caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/32085","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/32085\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32087,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/32085\/revisions\/32087"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32085"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-type?post=32085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}