Infrastructure Development
"The infrastructure gap is enormous," African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka says, "hampering [greater] economic growth across the continent."
By almost any measure, Africa lacks the infrastructure to meet the basic needs of its population and to reduce poverty. The price tag for building the necessary new infrastructure is high. The UN estimates that more than $52 billion (37.6 billion €) will be needed each year in public and private investments. A World Bank study puts the figure higher, at about $75 billion (54.3 billion €) a year, almost equally divided between the cost of new construction and of operations and maintenance. (Source: United Nations African Renewal: Laying Africa's roads to prosperity)
Electrification - bringing power to the people
Electric power infrastructure in Africa is in particularly desparate shape. According to the World Bank, the whole of sub-Saharan Africa generates only as much electricity as Spain. Some 550 million people, or almost 75 percent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa, still do not have access to electricity. In Lesotho, where Batla has significant activity, only 11 percent of the population have direct access to electricity.
Expanding the supply of electricity is critical for Africa's continued economic growth and a major priority. But, the price tag is high. According to the International Energy Agency, Africa needs about $344 billion (249 billion €) to create additional electricity capacity, upgrade installed equipment, and extend transmission and distribution networks to households and factories across the continent.
It is critical that just as economic growth rates pick up in Africa, energy access and supply does not become one of the bottlenecks. (Source: United Nations Africa Renewal: Electricity: Keeping the lights on in Africa)
Granite aggregate - expanding roads and rails
The poor state of transport adds 'economic distance' to African trade. Experts estimate that poor road, rail and harbour facilities add 30-40 percent to the cost of goods traded among African countries. (Source: United Nations Africa Renewal: Laying Africa's roads to prosperity)
Granite aggregate is durable, hard-wearing and easily extracted from deposits through blasting and crushing. It absorbs very little water and is resistant to weathering. Compared to almost all other stone, granite is superior in terms of durability and strength. In Southern Africa, there is a growing need for granite aggregate for use as the 'under bed' for rail lines, roads and construction.
