From ambition to execution: reflections from DEVAC 2026

Across the two days, discussions consistently returned to the same core issue: how to move infrastructure from policy and ambition into bankable, investable, and executable projects in practice

At CDH, we were privileged to contribute across multiple sessions, reflecting different elements of the infrastructure lifecycle:

• Jackwell Feris moderated and contributed to discussions on policy versus execution, infrastructure delivery, and energy access, including the session on “Powering Africa’s growth – Is universal access still achievable by 2030?”
• Vivian Chaplin led discussions on transport and logistics infrastructure, with a focus on unlocking private sector participation and investment-ready projects
• Zipho Tile contributed to conversations on financing at scale, including emerging models driving infrastructure investment
• Zodwa Malinga provided insight into construction and delivery realities, and what is required from developers in practice
• Charles Green engaged on regulatory frameworks and PPP structures within the transport and logistics sector
• Alistair Young contributed to discussions on governance, sustainability, and policy reform, particularly in the context of water security

A number of consistent themes emerged:

• Universal access and infrastructure expansion remain clear priorities - but delivery timelines are tightening
• The constraint is not always capital, but whether projects are structured, de-risked, and bankable
• There is no single model - PPP/PSP frameworks and a mix of delivery approaches are essential
• The real shift now is from frameworks to implementation discipline and execution capacity
• Across sectors - whether transport, energy, or water - the same question persists:

What was particularly evident is that infrastructure delivery now requires alignment across:

• Policy and regulatory frameworks
• Financing and bankability
• Execution and delivery capability

This aligns directly with how we see our role at CDH - advising across the full infrastructure lifecycle, from policy and procurement through to financing, implementation, and dispute resolution

The message across DEVAC was clear:

The next 2–3 years will be decisive.

• The opportunity is there.
• The frameworks are largely in place.

The key test now is execution.