In today’s interconnected world, infrastructure is more than concrete and steel, it is the backbone of economic growth, regional integration, and global competitiveness. Nowhere is this reality more evident than in Nigeria and across Africa, where the demand for sustainable infrastructure solutions has outpaced traditional financing and delivery models. Despite these challenges, the continent has pioneered creative frameworks, particularly in public-private partnerships (PPPs), renewable energy, and digital infrastructure.
To explore how Africa’s innovations can inform global development, we speak with Basit Sanusi, an infrastructure and PPP professional with a diverse background in engineering, finance, and public policy. Based in the United States, Basit has actively contributed to Nigerian and African projects through advisory roles, global collaborations, and thought leadership. His unique perspective offers valuable insights into how Africa’s experiences can shape global approaches to infrastructure delivery.
Basit, thank you for joining us. Let’s begin with the theme, bridging continents. How do you see Nigeria and Africa shaping the global discourse on infrastructure development?
Thank you for having me. Nigeria and Africa more broadly provide a laboratory for innovation in infrastructure because our needs are immense and our resources constrained, we are compelled to develop models that balance sustainability, affordability, and impact. This is not just about catching up with the rest of the world; it’s about pioneering solutions that others can adapt. For instance, Africa’s experience with leapfrogging in telecommunications and mobile banking is now influencing how emerging economies outside Africa think about digital infrastructure. Similarly, our approaches to structuring PPPs under resource constraints are being studied internationally as models of resilience and adaptability.
You’ve worked extensively on PPP and infrastructure finance. What lessons from your Nigerian and African engagements do you believe are transferable globally?
One clear lesson is the importance of designing PPP frameworks that are context-specific yet globally relevant. Through my advisory contributions to Nigerian and African projects, I have worked with stakeholders to balance investor appetite with the social imperative of affordability. This has driven innovations in risk allocation, tariff design, and regulatory oversight. Globally, particularly in developed markets, PPPs sometimes falter because they over-prioritize financial engineering at the expense of social outcomes. Africa’s experience shows that sustainable PPPs must prioritize inclusivity, affordability, and adaptability.
Another lesson is the critical role of capacity building. Many African projects pair infrastructure delivery with skills development for local institutions. By contributing research, advisory input, and global best practices from the U.S., I have seen how this dual approach ensures sustainability beyond the project’s financial close.
What are some examples from your career that illustrate this bridge between African challenges and global infrastructure discourse?
One example is my advisory support in developing PPP frameworks for Nigerian projects that sought to attract private capital despite limited fiscal space. My contributions helped shape approaches that made projects more bankable, which in turn mobilized investment into critical sectors such as transport and energy, where public funding alone was insufficient.
Additionally, I have been involved in cross-border infrastructure initiatives through collaborations with institutions such as the African Development Bank. In these efforts, my role has centered on providing strategic input and aligning African projects with global financing trends. These projects not only addressed local development needs but also emphasized regional integration, a theme highly relevant to global discussions about interconnected economies. My academic background in infrastructure finance and PPPs has allowed me to bridge global insights into African contexts and, conversely, highlight African innovations on international platforms.
You mentioned regional integration. Why is this especially significant for Africa, and what global lessons can be drawn from it?
Regional integration is at the core of Africa’s economic transformation. For example, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will only succeed if infrastructure connects markets across borders, roads, railways, energy grids, and digital networks. The challenge has been coordinating multiple governments, regulations, and financing arrangements.
Globally, this provides a lesson in the politics of infrastructure. Large-scale infrastructure development is not just a financial or engineering challenge; it is fundamentally political. Africa’s incremental progress in creating regional corridors despite these complexities demonstrates that with persistence and innovative financing, cross-border infrastructure can be achieved. This is increasingly relevant for regions like Southeast Asia and even Europe, where geopolitical tensions threaten infrastructure connectivity.
Some critics argue that Africa’s infrastructure deficit is too vast to serve as a model for others. How would you respond?
I would say that Africa’s deficit is precisely what makes it instructive. The scale of the challenge forces innovation. Consider energy: while many African countries still struggle with electricity access, the continent is also leading in decentralized renewable energy solutions, from mini-grids to pay-as-you-go solar systems. These models are now being studied and adapted in parts of Asia and Latin America.
The same applies to financing. Because traditional sources of capital are insufficient, Africa is experimenting with blended finance, diaspora bonds, and green financing mechanisms. These tools are relevant globally as even advanced economies grapple with financing climate-resilient infrastructure.
Looking back, what role has your education and global exposure played in shaping your outlook on these issues?
My background combines engineering, finance, and public policy. Studying and working internationally has allowed me to appreciate the universality of infrastructure challenges while also recognizing the uniqueness of African solutions. For instance, my training in infrastructure finance gave me the tools to critically analyze global models, while my active engagement with Nigerian and African stakeholders has shown me that models only work if they respect local realities. This dual perspective is what enables me to bridge African innovation with global discourse.
Let’s close with a forward-looking thought. What is your vision for Africa’s role in shaping global infrastructure in the coming decade?
I believe Africa will increasingly be recognized not just as a recipient of global infrastructure models but as a generator of ideas. The continent’s work in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and adaptive PPPs will influence global practice. My vision is for Africa to be seen as a full partner in defining the future of infrastructure, one where inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation guide development globally.
Conclusion
As Basit highlights, Nigeria and Africa’s journey in infrastructure is not just a story of challenges but one of innovation and resilience. By balancing affordability with sustainability, and by connecting infrastructure delivery to broader goals like regional integration and capacity building, Africa offers critical lessons for the world. In bridging continents, leaders like Basit remind us that global development is not one-way knowledge transfer. It is a dialogue where Africa’s voice must increasingly be heard.
