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
Fiscal support for Budget Facility for Infrastructure gains momentum
By: Lumkile Nkomfe 21st October 2026 The National Treasury will direct R20-billion of the projected R70.8-billion revenue overrun for the coming two years towards the Budget Facility... →
Treasury undertaking first comprehensive modernisation of MFMA
By: Lumkile Nkomfe 21st October 2026 Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced that National Treasury is undertaking its first comprehensive modernisation of the Municipal... →
Greater improvements required to strengthen infrastructure management, delivery – IMF finds
By: Lumkile Nkomfe 21st October 2026 Ahead of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on October 21, the National Treasury has... →
African financial markets gain ground but liquidity a challenge, survey shows
By: Reuters 14th October 2026 African countries are making steady progress in building financial markets that can help businesses raise money and fund infrastructure, but thin... →
Africa’s next growth chapter starts with capital closer to home
9th October 2026 Africa enters the FT Africa Summit this year facing a familiar question in unfamiliar circumstances. How does the continent finance growth when... →
Private sector skills can help South Africa improve infrastructure procurement – BLSA
By: Schalk Burger 5th October 2026 South Africa's private sector can support the public sector to accelerate the procurement of public infrastructure projects, says business... →
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... →
