Regulatory Alerts2010-11-03 | CBNIFC2010/01CBN INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE CONFERENCE 2010
The Nigerian Infrastructure Summit 2010 brought together key stakeholders in the infrastructure development space to discuss and propose viable solutions towards financing, managing, and developing Nigeria's critical infrastructure. The summit was graced by high-level government officials, international development partners, captains of industry, financiers, private investors, academia, and other experts. Some notable discussions covered included: 1. **Challenges in Infrastructure Development in Nigeria**: This topic highlighted the gaps in funding, poor governance, lack of policy consistency, political interference, among others as major challenges that inhibit the development of infrastructure in Nigeria. 2. **Role of International Agencies & Development Institutions in Infrastructure Financing**: The summit underscored the importance of international agencies and institutions like World Bank, African Development Bank, USAID etc., in providing financial aid, technical assistance, and expertise to improve Nigeria's infrastructure. 3. **The Private Sector Role in Infrastructure Development in Nigeria**: This topic highlighted the potential for private sector participation in infrastructure development and the need for a conducive environment to attract investments from the private sector. 4. **Long Term Infrastructure Financing Options in Africa**: The summit emphasized the importance of exploring long-term financing options like bonds, infrastructure funds, pension funds, etc., as well as innovative mechanisms such as public-private partnerships (PPPs), and concession arrangements to finance infrastructure development. 5. **The Role of Transaction Advisers in Infrastructure Financing**: The summit highlighted the role that transaction advisors play in structuring and negotiating transactions involving large scale infrastructure projects, particularly in attracting private sector participation. 6. **Issues in Infrastructure Financing: The World Bank Experience**: This topic provided insights into the experience of international development partners like the World Bank in financing infrastructure projects in Nigeria. The summit concluded with a wrap-up session chaired by the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and culminated in the presentation of the communiqué.