The Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, has called on African countries to adopt a pragmatic and balanced approach to infrastructure financing by leveraging both Chinese loans and European Union (EU) grants to accelerate the continent’s development.
Speaking at the 2026 Africa Days Forum in Brussels, Belgium, she said Africa could no longer afford to delay critical infrastructure projects while waiting for what she described as “perfect financing options.”
The forum, which brought together African political leaders, European Union policymakers, development finance institutions, private sector actors and development partners, deliberated on strengthening Africa-Europe cooperation in areas such as infrastructure financing, trade, industrialisation, climate resilience and sustainable development.
Hon. Gyan Cudjoe represented Ghana at the high-level gathering as part of the country’s delegation, which also included the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
Contributing to a panel discussion on “Financing Africa’s Infrastructure Gap,” the legislator stressed that the continent’s huge infrastructure deficit required innovative and diversified financing strategies rather than overreliance on a single source of funding.
She said while concerns over debt sustainability remained legitimate, African governments should not shy away from accessing external financing where projects had the potential to generate economic growth, employment and long-term value.
“If we wait only for ‘perfect’ money, our roads, rail lines, hospitals and digital infrastructure will keep waiting too,” she said.
According to her, Africa should take calculated risks in securing Chinese financing where loan conditions support productive investments capable of creating jobs, boosting local industries and improving economic competitiveness.
At the same time, she urged governments to maximise opportunities provided by the European Union through grants and concessional financing, particularly for investments in renewable energy, healthcare, education and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Hon. Gyan Cudjoe emphasised that the success of external borrowing depended largely on prudent management rather than the source of the financing itself.
She advocated transparent negotiations, proper project selection, effective monitoring and accountability to ensure borrowed funds translated into tangible national development outcomes.
She further recommended that financing agreements should include provisions for technology transfer, skills development and active participation of local businesses to enhance domestic capacity and create sustainable employment opportunities.
“The key is not to avoid risk, but to manage it responsibly by negotiating transparent terms, tying loans to projects with clear economic returns and ensuring technology transfer and local participation,” she stated.
Drawing from her experience as a constituency representative, the MP noted that strategic investments in infrastructure had a direct impact on the quality of life of ordinary citizens.
“For constituencies like mine in Ghana, the difference between a risk taken and an opportunity lost is a bridge built, a market connected or a factory powered,” she said.
Her contribution generated lively discussions among participants, many of whom underscored the importance of diversifying Africa’s sources of development finance while safeguarding long-term economic stability and national interests.
Speakers also highlighted the need for stronger partnerships between African countries and international development partners to close the continent’s infrastructure financing gap, which continues to constrain economic growth and regional integration.
The 2026 Africa Days Forum ended with a renewed commitment by participants to deepen cooperation between Africa and the European Union through equitable partnerships that promote sustainable investment, industrial transformation, trade expansion and inclusive economic development.
The meeting also reaffirmed the importance of mobilising both public and private capital to support Africa’s long-term development agenda while ensuring transparency, accountability and shared prosperity.
