How Africa Can Unlock $500 Billion in Economic Value Through Smarter Infrastructure Investment with Thomas Kingombe

Episode 195 with Thomas Kingombe, Managing Director and Partner at BCG South Africa and co-author of Bridging Africa’s Infrastructure Execution Gap

Africa is on the verge of an infrastructure transformation that could redefine its economic future. With more than 130 cross-border projects across energy, transport, digital and water sectors, the continent has the potential to unlock 500 billion dollars in additional economic value and create 74 million new jobs. The opportunity is immense, but realising it will require a shift from ambition to execution.

In this episode of the Unlocking Africa Podcast, Thomas Joseph Kingombe from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) joins us to explore the findings from the groundbreaking report Bridging Africa’s Infrastructure Execution Gap. Thomas shares how Africa can accelerate progress through strategic coordination, innovative financing, and stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors. He also discusses how the continent can tap into its four trillion dollars of domestic capital to fund sustainable, homegrown development.

What We Discuss With Thomas

• Africa’s 500 billion dollar infrastructure opportunity and how coordinated execution can unlock long-term growth across the continent
• Mobilising domestic capital and reducing reliance on external financing through innovative investment structures
• Insights from the Lobito Corridor as a model for infrastructure success through public and private collaboration
• The vision for an African Union Coordination Hub to fast-track 130 high-impact regional projects
• Building Africa’s infrastructure workforce with five million new professionals to meet growing development demands

Verto Corner
In this week’s Verto Corner, Chris Morris, Global Partnerships Manager at Verto, talks about how strategic partnerships are driving growth and innovation in cross border payments. 

He explains how Verto works with trusted partners to unlock value for clients, create new opportunities in emerging markets, and strengthen its position as a leader in global payments. 

Chris shares real examples, including how Verto’s collaboration with East African travel platform Tripoli helped solve major challenges around multi currency payments and cross border transactions.

Access the Strategy Handbook

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss Unlocking Affordable and Patient Capital for MSMEs in Africa? Make sure to check it out!

Connect with Terser:
LinkedIn - Terser Adamu
Instagram - unlockingafrica
Twitter (X) - @TerserAdamu

Connect with Thomas:
LinkedIn - Thomas Kingombe  and Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here