10 mega projects that will transform the African continent

The continent currently faces numerous development challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited economic diversification, and a significant development gap with other regions.

However, the continent is blessed with vast natural resources, a growing population, and increasing economic momentum, making it an attractive destination for investment and development.

Mega projects, which run into billions of US dollars, can potentially drive regional development by creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and connecting regions through improved infrastructure.

Some mega projects across the continent have been identified in this report and the benefits the project brings to the African continent are unquantifiable.

Key sectors that mostly attracted mega projects in Africa include energy, transportation, and Aviation. Investing in these sectors can have a multiplier effect on economic growth and development.

For instance, improving energy infrastructure (Dams, refineries) can power industries and households and provide fuel for industries and individual uses. Also, investing in transportation can facilitate regional trade and connectivity.

Accessing funds for megaprojects of such magnitude can pose a major challenge, but there are several avenues to explore. The African Development Bank and other multilateral institutions offer funding and technical assistance, and PPPs, among other financing options, can leverage private sector investment and funding.

While there are numerous projects scattered across the continent, these 10 mega projects were selected due to their advantages to the continent’s economy.

S/N	Project	Country	Cost	Sector
1	Dangote Refinery	Nigeria	$20 Billion	Energy
2	Grand Ethiopian Dam	Ethiopia	$5 Billion	Energy, Power
3	Lobito Atlantic Railway.	Angola, the DRC and Zambia	Over $500 Million	Transportation
4	Abidjan-Lagos Highway Project	Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire	$15.6 Billion	Transportation
5	New Administrative Capital	Egypt	$58 Billion	Construction
6	LAPSSET corridor project	Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia	$16 Billion	Transportation
7	Lake Albert Development	Uganda/ Tanzania	$20 Billion	Energy
8	Punta Europa Gas Mega Hub	Equatorial Guinea:	–	Energy
9	Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project	Nigeria, Morocco	$25 Billion	Energy
10	International Airport Project	Ethiopia	$6 Billion	Aviation

The LAPSSET Corridor project, the Dangote refinery, and Ethiopia’s new mega airport illustrates how a single project can create a vast, interconnected web of infrastructure, linking multiple African countries through roads, railways, and ports.

This unified network has the potential to transform regional trade and investment, driving economic expansion and cooperation across Africa