- Department commits R600 million to strengthen project preparation and delivery.
- Bid window targets projects worth R1 billion or more across public sector.
- Improved preparation expected to accelerate construction, attract funding and create jobs.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has announced the opening of Infrastructure South Africa’s Project Preparation Bid Window III, aimed at helping public sector institutions turn large infrastructure projects into bankable and investment ready opportunities.
The initiative forms part of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s R600 million commitment to project delivery support. It is open to national and provincial departments, state owned entities and municipalities with qualifying projects valued at R1 billion or more. Projects must align with national development priorities and demonstrate potential to secure funding from development finance institutions, multilateral development banks and private investors alongside public funding.
Macpherson said inadequate project preparation remains a key barrier to infrastructure delivery, with many projects failing to progress beyond planning stages due to incomplete feasibility studies, delayed approvals and unclear funding structures.
He said the new bid window is designed to address these constraints by ensuring projects are properly structured and packaged to attract investment and move more quickly into construction. This is expected to support delivery of critical infrastructure such as water, energy and transport systems while stimulating economic activity.
Since the launch of the first bid window in October 2024, demand for project preparation support has increased significantly. The initial round received 277 submissions with a combined estimated capital value of R322 billion.
Infrastructure South Africa is currently supporting more than 24 projects with a combined value of about R148 billion, while 15 projects have already completed their preparation phase.
Macpherson said these outcomes highlight the importance of strong project preparation in building a credible pipeline of infrastructure opportunities. He added that improved preparation will help attract investment, accelerate project implementation and deliver jobs, economic growth and better services to communities across South Africa.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
