Bridging Africa's Infrastructure Gap

Standard Chartered is a leader in infrastructure financing, having structured and financed vital infrastructure, power, utilities and energy transition projects for over two decades. With deep relationships with sponsors and governments and a track record across sectors including energy, transport and social infrastructure, the bank was recently recognised as the leading Infrastructure Bank in Africa and the Middle East by Project Finance International.

Africa is at a pivotal moment in its development. Robust infrastructure is essential for sustainable economic growth, long-term prosperity and transformation. Yet the continent faces a substantial financing gap. The African Development Bank estimates annual infrastructure needs at 130bn to 170bn, with a financing shortfall of 68bn to 108bn. Factors such as perceived investment risks, regulatory complexities and currency volatility continue to constrain access to long-term capital.

Infrastructure finance in Africa presents both immense opportunities and significant challenges. Investment is growing across sectors such as power, minerals and metals, transport and logistics, oil and gas, water and sanitation and digital infrastructure - driven by population growth, urbanisation, energy needs and trade connectivity. Projects supported by Standard Chartered, including solar initiatives in Senegal and road infrastructure in Ghana, illustrate the scale and ambition behind this momentum.

Despite the complexities, international investment appetite remains strong, particularly from pension funds, insurers and private credit seeking stable long-term assets. There is growing focus on sustainability, with capital increasingly directed toward renewables, healthcare and other sectors contributing to inclusive development.

Several key trends are shaping infrastructure finance across the region. Countries are accelerating their clean energy commitments, leading to strong demand for renewables such as solar, wind, green hydrogen and carbon capture. At the same time, there is renewed focus on baseload thermal power, with a surge in combined-cycle gas turbine CCGT projects in the Middle East.