South Africa Unveils PPP Reforms to Accelerate Infrastructure Projects

The South African government has announced it will reduce the procedural complexities of implementing public-private partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure development in the country.

Announced by South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday in Cape Town, the reforms will expedite project approvals by the government and make it easier for private investors to mobilize funding for infrastructure projects under the value of R2 billion.

“Infrastructure spending will become the fastest-growing line in our national budget,” President Rampahosa stated, adding, “We are implementing the reforms necessary to make it easier for more construction by reducing regulatory duplication and providing investors with long-term certainty.”

During the announcement, President Ramaphosa highlighted that national spending in infrastructure is expected to exceed R1 trillion over the next three years. He noted the importance of the newly established government agency Infrastructure South Africa in playing a key role in expediting project approvals, project preparation and finance mobilization.

Furthermore, the President stated that, since 2024, over R600 million has been allocated towards procuring projects across a number of municipalities and public entities in the country.

As part of the government’s goal to reduce procedural complexities in PPP processes, the President also encouraged investors to come forward with experiences of inefficiencies in unlocking permits to help gazette procurement.