Infrastructure
Infrastructure refers to the fundamental physical and organisational systems and facilities necessary for the operation of a society, economy or enterprise. It encompasses a broad range of sectors including transport (roads, railways, ports and airports), energy (power generation, transmission and distribution networks), water and sanitation (treatment plants, pipelines and sewerage systems), telecommunications (fibre-optic networks, mobile towers and data centres) and social infrastructure (schools, hospitals and public buildings). In the African context, infrastructure development is widely recognised as a critical enabler of economic growth, industrialisation and poverty reduction. Many African countries face significant infrastructure deficits, with inadequate road networks, unreliable electricity supply, limited access to clean water and underdeveloped digital connectivity constraining business activity and quality of life. Governments, development finance institutions and private investors are increasingly prioritising infrastructure projects to address these gaps, often through public–private partnerships and regional integration initiatives. Infrastructure investment is capital-intensive and typically requires long-term planning, regulatory frameworks and maintenance programmes to ensure sustainability. Challenges such as loadshedding in the electricity sector highlight the consequences of underinvestment and ageing infrastructure. The African Union's Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa and various national infrastructure plans aim to coordinate and accelerate the delivery of critical projects across the continent. Infrastructure quality and availability are key determinants of competitiveness, trade facilitation and the ability to attract foreign direct investment.
Infrastructure Updates
New report shows housing, energy stalled despite GNU’s upward trajectory, but no promises broken 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 30th September 2026 As South Africa’s Government of National Unity enters its third year, its central challenge has fundamentally shifted, with the initial phase of... →
Afreximbank, DBSA contribute to fund to advance bankable projects in Southern Africa
By: Schalk Burger 18th September 2026 Multilateral trade finance institution the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and development finance institution (DFI) the Development Bank... →
Godongwana highlights infrastructure’s growth potential as DBSA disbursements rise to R20.7bn
By: Terence Creamer 14th September 2026 The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) reported record disbursements of R20.7-billion in 2025/26, up from R17.5-billion in the prior year,... →
Ramaphosa calls for BRICS members to invest in productive capacity
By: Schalk Burger 11th September 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa, during an address to the BRICS Business Forum Leaders' Dialogue, held in India this week, called for the bloc to direct... →
Moody's sees ongoing surge in Africa's private credit market
By: Reuters 8th September 2026 Africa's private credit market is set for further expansion as companies and infrastructure projects seek alternatives to constrained bank lending,... →
Can Africa take ownership of the AU-US infrastructure deal?
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 8th September 2026 Early momentum is real, but AU member states, private capital and wary US investors have yet to be brought on board. Since the African Union... →
SIU probe into R150m road contract exposes failure of Section 100 “rescue”
1st September 2026 The Democratic Alliance welcomes the proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate the R150.4 million contract for... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa, Cape Town (25/08/2026)
26th August 2026 At the centre of discussion at the Summit was the work we must collectively undertake to further integrate the economies of our region.... →
New ‘Construction Book’ features 110 projects for procurement in next 12 to 18 months
By: Terence Creamer 25th August 2026 The third edition of South Africa’s ‘Construction Book’, which lists 110 infrastructure projects that are expected to enter procurement over the... →
Infrastructure South Africa promises quarterly updates ahead of release of third edition of ‘Construction Book’
By: Terence Creamer 24th August 2026 Infrastructure South Africa has indicated that it plans to offer quarterly status reports on the projects that are included in its so-called... →
