“The need for infrastructure improvements is a top-tier economic, political, and social issue in nearly every African
country. Although the academic and policy literature is extensive in terms of estimating the impact of infrastructure
deficits on economic and social indicators, very few studies have examined citizen demands for infrastructure. In this paper, we draw upon survey data to move beyond top-line estimates of national infrastructure access rates toward a
more nuanced understanding of service availability and citizen demands at the regional, national, and sub-national
levels. We find a predictable pattern of infrastructure services across income levels – lower-income countries have
fewer services. The survey data also allows us to observe the sequencing of infrastructure services. On the demand
side, survey respondents are most concerned with jobs and income-related issues, as well as with the availability of infrastructure, specifically transportation and sanitation. These priorities transcend demographic factors, including gender and location (urban/rural).”
