Influence of construction-based infrastructure on the development process in Sub-Saharan Africa

Based on the evidence of a close link between the process of economic growth and the supply of infrastructure, the paper explores the state of the infrastructure system in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with particular focus on the underlying problems militating against the development of a sustainable infrastructure in the region. The persistence of poverty in the SSA region - reflected in terms of limited access to potable water, decent shelter and adequate health, education and communication services - is argued to be as much a cause as a consequence of the absence of sustainable infrastructure facilities. The paper concludes by specifying the need for policy to address financing and investment options for infrastructure development, and by specifying strategies for capacity building in construction engineering and management based on technology transfer and the effective utilization of local resources.