EFCA participated in the Transport Infrastructure Roundtable organised by DG INTPA in Brussels on December 6th, aiming at fostering EU opportunities in transport projects in Africa. The Roundtable was introduced by DG INTPA Director General, Koen Doens, and by EIB Director for International Partners, Thouraya Triki. Officials from DG TRADE, ECFIN, DG GROW, DG MOVE and DG NEAR were also present, and for the private sector, there were delegations from EIC, UNIFE and EFCA.
All parties acknowledged the importance of identifying and preparing sound and policy-aligned transport projects, and the European Consulting Engineers’ role in delivering this task. The need for a new integrated approach was also shared by all parties, in which the European companies are involved from the very early phases, and where EU technology, standards and financing instruments make the difference to partner countries, with lower total costs and higher sustainability impacts. EFCA recommended setting-up project preparation and financing facilities to identify, prepare and assist EUDs in putting the projects in the market. "We believe that an integrated European value proposition can be more attractive and competitive, but we need to be better organised, adapt our procurement rules and define attractive financial packages” stated the EFCA President.
Meetings with DG INTPA and EIB will resume early in 2025 with proposals of transport projects that are a priority for partner countries in Africa and where European companies can bring a significant added value.
(Photo: Nicolas Chomel, Chair of EFCA’s External Action Committee; Inés Ferguson, EFCA President; Mihai Barcanescu, EFCA Policy Manager, in Albert Borschette Conference Centre in Brussels, on December 6th)