Regional Transport Infrastructure Integration and FDI Flow in Africa

Economic competitiveness, trade and integration initiatives realised through favourable cross-border movement of people and their activities between regions and countries; are greatly rooted in an integrated transport infrastructure system. Previous researches have recognised that investments in transport infrastructure among countries advances the productivity and foreign investment potential of a region; as functional transport infrastructure enhances connectivity, and promotes ease of movement while lowering trade costs. In addition, several authors propound that economically competitive regions attribute their success to regional connectivity since it boosts transfer of FDI. This study therefore attempts to explain how regional transport infrastructure integration influences the flow of FDI within regional geographical blocs in Africa. The research quests to highlight how the four modes of transport infrastructure (road, rail, air and water) compare and contribute to the competitiveness of East, West, North and Southern geographical blocs; and to identify the shortcomings within the continent regarding cross-border infrastructure integration that slow economic development.