Innovative Financing for the Structural Transformation of West African Economies

The purpose of this report is to identify challenges and opportunities linked to the financing of structural transformation in West Africa. It thereby serves to analyse the role that may be played by innovative financing mechanisms in that context, having regard to the slower growth seen every year in Africa because of poor infrastructure quality.

The report also highlighted some major sources of financing in West Africa and related challenges. An emerging middle class points to new consumption patterns and thereby gives added importance to the question of infrastructure financing. The country diagnostic study of infrastructure indicates that infrastructure needs in sub-Saharan Africa would amount to more than $93 billion yearly over the next 10 years with a financing shortfall of more than $50 billion. Increased weight is given to these issues by the Sustainable Development Goals.