When people think about Africa’s infrastructure challenges, they often look eastward to Asia or northward to Europe for inspiration, but one of the most instructive regions, in my view, is the U.S. Midwest. Having studied engineering, finance, and policy, and worked across public-private partnerships and development delivery, I have come to appreciate the Midwest not only for its industrial legacy but also for its resilience and adaptability. Africa stands on the brink of an infrastructure revolution, and there are practical lessons we can draw from the American heartland as we shape the continent’s next frontier.
Infrastructure as a driver of regional growth
The Midwest’s story is one of scale and integration. Its economy, once dominated by agriculture and heavy industry, was held together by extensive infrastructure: railroads, highways, energy grids, and inland waterways. These were not just standalone projects; they were part of a broader regional growth strategy that allowed goods and services to move seamlessly across state lines and beyond.
This approach is particularly relevant for Africa. Too often, infrastructure projects are designed in isolation, serving immediate needs without fitting into a long-term economic vision. A single road or rail line may provide temporary relief, but if it is not tied to agricultural zones, industrial hubs, or trade corridors, its impact is limited. Africa’s challenge is not merely to build more infrastructure, but to ensure that every investment is part of a coherent growth strategy. One of the clearest parallels lies in agriculture. The Midwest became America’s breadbasket not just because of fertile land but because of the logistics that supported it: storage silos, processing plants, rail networks, and distribution systems that connected farms to factories and markets.
In Africa, agriculture contributes significantly to GDP, yet post-harvest losses in some regions reach as high as 40 percent due to weak logistics and storage. Here, the Midwest offers a blueprint. Strengthening feeder roads, investing in cold storage, and developing agro-processing hubs can transform primary production into value-added industries. The key is to build entire value chains rather than isolated farm outputs. This is how agriculture becomes not just a subsistence activity, but a driver of industrialization, job creation, and food security.
Infrastructure partnerships and energy transition
The Midwest also benefited from coordinated partnerships that allowed its infrastructure to expand and endure. Federal and state governments, local authorities, and private industry worked in tandem to maintain and grow networks of railroads, highways, and power grids. This cooperation ensured that infrastructure served broad regional objectives rather than fragmented interests.
Africa can learn from this trajectory. Infrastructure should not be left to individual projects or single actors; instead, it requires collaboration across governments, communities, and the private sector. Coordinated planning and shared accountability make it possible to deliver projects that are sustainable, scalable, and inclusive.
Another powerful lesson from the Midwest lies in its energy sector. Historically reliant on coal and oil, the region is now diversifying into renewable energy. Wind farms in states like Iowa and Minnesota are proof of how a region can transition gradually, maintaining stability while preparing for the future.
Africa, where over 600 million people still lack electricity, does not have the luxury of time, but this also creates an opportunity to leapfrog. By blending traditional grids with renewable solutions, solar mini-grids, hydro, and wind, African countries can build resilience and sustainability into their energy systems. Like the Midwest, Africa must pursue a dual strategy: strengthen existing energy infrastructure for immediate reliability while investing in renewables for long-term security.
Integration and adaptability
What impresses me most about the Midwest is its level of integration. Highways, railways, and power grids are not confined within state borders; they serve the region as a whole. This is the model Africa needs under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). A continental market cannot function if goods are trapped at border bottlenecks or if energy systems fail to cross national boundaries.
Yet integration alone is not enough. The Midwest has also shown remarkable adaptability. When heavy manufacturing declined, the region shifted sometimes unevenly towards services, technology, and clean energy. Infrastructure that once supported steel mills now supports logistics hubs, tech centers, and renewable energy grids. This adaptability is a lesson Africa cannot afford to ignore. Our infrastructure must be designed to serve multiple purposes and evolve with changing economies. Industrial parks should be able to host both traditional manufacturers and renewable energy firms. Transport systems built for agriculture must also accommodate industrial freight and cross-border trade.
Africa’s opportunity
The U.S. Midwest is far from Africa, but its lessons are close at hand. It teaches us that infrastructure is more than just physical assets; it is also about vision, integration, and adaptability. Agriculture cannot thrive without logistics. Energy systems must balance stability with sustainability. Transport systems should not only move goods locally but also unlock regional and global trade.
Africa’s opportunity lies in building infrastructure that is not only modern but also transformative, projects that create value chains, unlock markets, and future-proof economies. The Midwest shows us that resilience is not the absence of challenges, but the ability to adapt and thrive despite them.
As an African infrastructure professional, I see this moment as a chance to apply these lessons thoughtfully. If Africa embraces integration, fosters collaborative partnerships, and designs for adaptability, it can transform its infrastructure deficit into a foundation for prosperity. The continent’s next frontier is within reach, and the blueprint, surprisingly, can be found in the American Midwest.
