Finance & Infrastructure Task Force

The global economy is underpinned by infrastructure, from transport and energy networks to data centres and undersea cables. Three trillion dollars is spent on infrastructure each year, but there remains a significant and growing gap between global infrastructure needs and the volume of projects that are funded and built.

This gap is especially pronounced in EMDEs, where current and forecasted levels of infrastructure investment significantly lag many developed markets. This gap exists due to supply-side and demand-side constraints; there are insufficient investable infrastructure projects and inadequate funding flowing into them via financial intermediaries and markets.

The overarching objective of the Finance & Infrastructure Taskforce is to identify actionable recommendations that can be taken forward by the G20 and other key stakeholders to help close this infrastructure gap.

This mission is especially important in the context of an increasingly fragmented global financial environment, which poses particular challenges for EMDEs, but also provides opportunities for private sector-led investment and collaboration to help offset growing geopolitical fragmentation.

The three interdependent recommendations are to: 

1. Support the expansion of investable infrastructure projects
2. Improve access to capital by increasing the availability, effectiveness and resilience of public, private, and philanthropic investment
3. Enhance the flow of funds between investors, infrastructure projects, and the wider economy

The challenge is clear, the need is urgent, and the opportunity is immense. By actioning these critical recommendations with speed, South Africa’s G20 Presidency has the opportunity to deliver breakthrough impact in infrastructure provision and help secure a resilient, inclusive future.