Infrastructure-related developments are likely to support the demand for project cargo across Africa for some time to come. GlobalData is tracking 448 large-scale transport projects (road, rail and bridges) across Africa at various stages of development.According to the research company’s “Project Insight – African Transport Networks” report, the projects represent investment of around US$430.3 billion.Nigeria, with 49 projects, has the highest number of transport projects in the pipeline, amounting to US$48.3 billion, while Egypt, with 20 transport projects, has the highest value, amounting to US$52.9 billion, followed by Algeria (30 projects valued at US$37.9 billion), Kenya (27 projects valued at US$31.8 billion), Tunisia (nine projects valued at US$21.2 billion) and Tanzania (20 projects valued at US$16.7 billion).Deloitte’s 2019 Africa Construction Trends Report found the transport sector took the lead in terms of East African investments, accounting for 30% ($44 billion) of the region’s total projects by value, followed by oil and gas (27.5%) and then the energy and power (20.9%) sectors.According to GlobalData, investment rates in transport infrastructure have been increasing, thanks to major continental initiatives such as Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) mobilising resources to transform Africa through modern infrastructure.When completed in their entirety, the tracked projects will total over 110 000km in length (54 110km for roads, 55 345km for railway and 599km for bridges) of which 75 297km will be newly constructed, 29 197km will be upgraded and 5 561km will have an element of both construction and upgrade, criss-crossing the African continent.Many of the projects are being funded through public private partnerships (PPPs).Some 52.4% of the total project pipeline by value is being paid for by African governments allocating funds for constructing new roads and repairing existing ones, whereas 33.3% of the total project pipeline is funded by various joint financing arrangements between the public and private sectors.Based on the pipeline of projects tracked, Chinese contractors are involved in road and railway projects that account for 21.3% of the overall project pipeline value. Other main foreign contractors are headquartered in France (accounting for 17.7%), Turkey (accounting for 8.2%) and the UK (accounting for 3.4%).Other major projects currently under way include:Grand Inga Dam – CongoIf completed, the Grand Inga complex near Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, will be the largest dam project in the world.The project is, however, mired in controversy and there are funding challenges. Dangote Oil Refinery – NigeriaThe US$14-billion Dangote Oil refinery project is set to be the world’s largest single oil refinery. Situated in Nigeria, the facility will produce a capacity of 650 000 barrels per day and will boost economic growth in Nigeria and generate thousands of jobs.Construction is due to be completed by the end of 2020.Bagamoyo Port – TanzaniaBagamoyo port in Tanzania is set to be the largest port in East and Central Africa. The project is a tri-State venture between Tanzania, China and Oman. State-owned China Merchants Port is building the port while an Omani sovereign wealth fund will establish a 1 700-hectare special economic zone adjacent to the port.Estimated to cost US $10bn, the port project is expected to take about 30 years to construct to reach its full potential. It will be able to handle 20 times more cargo than the port in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest port.Egypt’s New capital cityA new capital is rising up out of the desert sands 45 kilometres east of Cairo. The smart city has 21 residential districts and 25 commercial districts. The city will have a recreation park double the size of New York City’s Central Park, 90 square kilometres of solar energy farms, and several artificial lakes. The new capital is expected to draw a population of seven million people in its first phase.Konza Technology City – KenyaKonza Technology City is a smart city US$14.5-bn project in the eastern part of the country. Located some 64 kilometres south of the capital Nairobi, it is modelled around the US Silicon Valley. It is designed to attract business process outsourcing, software development, data centres, disaster recovery centres, call centres, light manufacturing industries, and research institutions. Kenya Standard Gauge RailwayKenya is building a 969-km standard gauge railway from Mombasa to Malaba at a cost of $9.9 billion. Phase one of the project spans 472km from Mombasa to Nairobi and has been completed at a cost of US $3.27 bn, while phase 2A from Nairobi to Naivasha (120km) was constructed at a cost of US $1.5bn. The railway link to Kisumu will cost US $3.7bn.