Africa Week 2024: In it for the long haul? Investing in Africa's transport infrastructure

Fieldfisher's Podcast

In the concluding episode of Fieldfisher's Africa Week 2024, Cecily Davis, partner in Fieldfishers Construction Practice talks to Tony Burkson, CEO of VAOB Infrastructure Group . Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and visionary approach, Tony discusses his focus on revolutionising infrastructure financing in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly within the rail sector.
The conversation explores the disparity in rail infrastructure development between East, Southern, and West Africa, highlighting maintenance and governance issues. Tony also reflects on geopolitical influences, his experiences promoting trade between the UK and Africa, and the challenges of involving UK companies in African infrastructure projects. He discusses potential growth areas like Tanzania, Angola, and the DRC, emphasizing the crucial role of development banks and the need to diminish reliance on sovereign guarantees for infrastructure projects. The discussion wraps up with Tony's views on Ghana's infrastructure challenges and the importance of private sector involvement in transport infrastructure development across the continent.