WUF12: Cities and Corridors - the importance of an urban perspective for harnessing the development potential of enhanced connectivity

In recent years, there has been a strong resurgence of interest in investing in strategic corridors. An example is the EU's Global Gateway initiative, launched in 2021. Global Gateway aims to invest in smart, clean, and secure infrastructure in the digital, energy, and transport sectors while bolstering health, education, and research systems globally. It seeks to mobilise up to EUR 300 billion for sustainable projects to bridge the investment gap in infrastructure. 

In Africa, Global Gateway is facilitating the development of 12 transport corridors to enhance high potential value-chains and economic integration through regional connectivity, catalysed through investments at the local level. While the initiative's main focus is on transportation, enhanced connectivity, and trade facilitation, well-developed and functioning urban areas along the corridors will be central to harnessing the development potential of the corridors. 

From an urban perspective, particularly considering Africa’s rapid and partially unplanned urbanisation, corridors may exert substantial pressure on cities and local governments, creating both challenges and opportunities and changing economic dynamics within African countries. 

Cities are playing a central role in shaping future consumption and production patterns, including the transition to more climate-friendly and resilient infrastructure, sustainable mobility, less pollution, and more responsible and efficient use of natural resources and ecosystems. To leverage the development potential of corridors, it is essential to include cities for a vision that works for their communities and the region as a whole. 

This panel discussion will bring different perspectives and experiences to discuss how development partners can improve to better support partner countries on the continent and bring critical investments into cities. As drivers, financers, and implementers in international development cooperation, the event organisers and panelists represent strong voices within the global development agenda. In particular, the EU and its affiliated entities, as well as ODA-financing national governments and development banks, are potential key drivers for future corridor partnerships. 

Objectives

• Strengthen the understanding, and the development potential, of better integrating cities into emerging strategic corridor investments
• Explore opportunities for advancing improved links to cities and local development within strategic corridor investments
• Advance perspectives on how to harness the potential that greater connectivity offers cities locally 

Panelists

Ms Dagmar Vogel, Head of Infrastructure Financing Division, Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Mr Sergio Oliete Josa, Head of Unit Sustainable Transport and Urban Development, European Commission Directorate General for International Partnerships (EU INTPA)

Mr Tali Trigg, Principal Green Cities and Electric Mobility, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

Mr Cheikhou Balde, Principal Urban Development Officer, African Development Bank 

Ms Angela Soriano Quevedo, Urban Development Analyst, World Bank 

Register on the WUF12 website.