T here is a literal sense in which Africa merits that heavily loaded name, the Dark Continent. Images captured by satellite of the earth at night show the planet’s landmasses studded with concentrations of light. But the great bulk of Africa becomes almost indiscernible in the shadows. South of the Sahara desert, mains electricity reaches only one in four households.

Lack of infrastructure weighs heavily on Africa, which has 34 of the world’s 50 least developed countries. Geographical handicaps have been compounded by war, misgovernment and failed aid policies. Decades of underinvestment and neglect have left most African countries with long lags in areas such as power supply and transport, standing in the way of their chances of competing economically and creating the jobs they need.