South Africa's Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, has announced that the government has allocated significant funds to enhance public infrastructure in municipalities. An inter-ministerial committee will support distressed local governments. This comes as part of the Mid-Term Development Plan's latest progress report.
In a recent update, Minister Maropene Ramokgopa highlighted the government's commitment to bolstering public infrastructure across South African municipalities. Speaking on the release of the Mid-Term Development Plan (MTDP) Bi-Annual Progress Report for April to September 2026, she emphasized the strategic allocations aimed at addressing longstanding challenges in local governance.
The MTDP serves as the administration's five-year blueprint, detailing key objectives for national development. Ramokgopa noted that over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), R1.03 trillion has been earmarked specifically for public infrastructure projects. This funding supports a range of initiatives, including the Infrastructure Fund's approval of 26 blended finance projects totaling R101.6 billion. Additionally, the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) has greenlit 10 major projects valued at R37.1 billion, set for immediate implementation.
To tackle issues in struggling municipalities, an inter-ministerial committee has been established to provide targeted assistance. The bi-annual monitoring review, released alongside the report, assesses departmental progress, identifies obstacles, and proposes corrective measures. Ramokgopa stated, “Government has set aside R1.03 trillion for public infrastructure over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The Infrastructure Fund has approved 26 blended finance projects worth R101.6 billion. The Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) approved 10 major projects worth R37.1 billion for implementation.”
This initiative reflects broader efforts to improve service delivery and economic stability at the local level, though the report underscores ongoing challenges that require sustained action.