Infrastructure underpins almost every aspect of economic growth and human development. It is not surprising therefore that the preparatory discussions for the Third Financing for Development Conference (FfD3) were littered with references to infrastructure and the urgent need to increase investment. However, questions remain about how we ensure that any increase in investment delivers value for money and meets the needs of the poorest. This briefing note is a contribution towards answering those questions. It draws on the experience of CoST across 14 countries.

The Third Financing for Development Conference, was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to agree a framework to finance the future sustainable development agenda. On the penultimate day of the conference, an agreement was reached and the “Addis Ababa Action Agenda” was adopted on 16 July.This briefing note contains reference ot the FfD3 focus on infrastrucure and the five lessons CoST would share with FfD3.