Rural infrastructure

The importance of rural infrastructure is demonstrated by the positive influence that an increase in its stock has on the promotion of economic growth and decline in the incidence of absolute poverty. The importance of developing infrastructure has long been recognized as central in promoting economic growth. In rural areas it has wide ranging impacts on individuals, households and communities both in terms of income and other quality of life indicators. The paper is confined to the problems faced by sectors such as: telecommunication, power, roads, housing and electrification and the inadequacy of government funds devoted to rural infrastructure. The solution lies in looking for alternative sources of investment in infrastructure.