South Africa Partners Afreximbank to Unlock $750M Infrastructure Investments
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a landmark Joint Project Preparation Facility (JPPF) Agreement with the Government of South Africa in a move set to fast-track the development of critical infrastructure projects.
The agreement, concluded on the sidelines of the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) in Algiers, will support the preparation of projects under the Government’s Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) Programme within the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
The JPPF will co-finance and deliver high-quality, bankable projects across key sectors such as energy, transport and logistics, and digital infrastructure. The initiative is expected to unlock at least US$750 million in investment, boosting South Africa’s competitiveness, stimulating industrialisation, and attracting both public and private sector participation.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Mr Kenny Molong, hailed the collaboration as a turning point: “The slow progression of project concepts into fully implemented projects often stems from insufficient vigour in the preparation phase. This partnership with Afreximbank positions us to transform concepts into viable infrastructure projects that will attract private sector financing and deliver socio-economic benefits. Collaboration is key; no single nation or organisation has all the answers.”
Ms Oluranti Doherty, Afreximbank’s Managing Director of Export Development, highlighted the bank’s commitment to advancing regional integration: “We are pleased to partner with the Government of South Africa, a pivotal regional economic powerhouse, to address its infrastructure challenges. Our goal is to establish a cohesive and interconnected infrastructure ecosystem that elevates South Africa’s competitiveness while extending benefits across the SADC region. By de-risking projects at a critical stage, we can enhance the quality and speed of infrastructure delivery.”
Ms Mameetse Masemola, Acting Head of Infrastructure South Africa, described the partnership as long overdue and a major step towards delivering on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s mandate of building a credible national infrastructure pipeline.
The signing took place against the backdrop of a record-breaking IATF2025, which drew more than 112,000 participants and generated over US$48 billion in trade deals. Hosted by Algeria and organised by Afreximbank in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the fair attracted 20 Heads of State and Government representatives alongside 2,100 exhibitors from across the continent.
Launched in 2018, the Intra-African Trade Fair provides a platform for businesses to showcase goods and services, explore new markets, and seize opportunities within the AfCFTA’s single market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of over US$3.5 trillion.
