In a groundbreaking move, Minister of State for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell revealed a new £48 million program to enhance infrastructure in lower-income countries at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels on Wednesday, October 25
The Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme (GCIP) harnesses the collective expertise and technical support from various sectors of the UK government and the private industry.
Enhancing infrastructure in lower-income countries
This initiative aspires to construct low-carbon, climate-resilient infrastructure while nurturing innovation and promoting sustainable economic growth in cities of lower-income countries.
Transforming infrastructure in Zambia, Tanzania and Bangladesh
In Zambia, GCIP collaborates with the US and EU to provide technical support to reduce transportation costs for goods along the Lobito Corridor to Angola. This partnership will also facilitate new development opportunities by enhancing infrastructure for processing raw materials, including food production.
In Tanzania, the program concentrates on improving waste management in Dar Es Salaam and fortifying the city’s resilience against climate-related shocks.
In Bangladesh, the GCIP will facilitate traffic management and reduce pollution in major cities. This effort will draw upon expertise from Transport for London.
Minister Andrew Mitchell’s vision
Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), emphasized the significance of making the UK’s expertise more accessible.
He believes the Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme will enable lower-income countries to bridge their infrastructure gaps, fostering climate resilience, sustainable growth, and poverty reduction, resulting in a transformative impact.
A contribution to global infrastructure part of UK’s commitment
The £48 million investment forms part of the UK’s commitment to the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII).
This collective pledge aims to mobilize up to $600 billion (approximately £495 billion) by 2027, intended to narrow the infrastructure and investment gap in lower-income countries.
The delivery of the GCIP will be orchestrated through the FCDO’s Centre of Expertise in Green Cities and Infrastructure, which provides coordinated UK support for improved urban planning and climate-resilient infrastructure projects.
It will collaborate closely with British Investment Partnerships (BIP), a consortium encompassing all aspects of the UK government’s development and investment offerings.
This announcement aligns with the UK’s preparations to host next year’s UK-African Investment Summit.
These endeavors are part of a broader strategy to bolster UK-African partnerships, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
