Category: Africa

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30th United Nations Climate Conference (COP 30): Multilateral development banks reaffirm their commitment to climate finance, pledge innovative funding for adaptation

Source: APO

Multilateral development banks on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to climate finance, pledging to scale up innovative funding to boost climate adaptation and resilience.

“Financing climate resilience is not a cost, but an investment.” This was the key message from senior MDB officials at the end of a side event organised by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) on the opening day of the 30th United Nations Climate Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. The conference runs from 10 to 21 November.

During a panel discussion titled “Accelerating large-scale climate change adaptation,” MDB representatives, including the African Development Bank Group, outlined how their institutions are fulfilling Paris Agreement commitments by mobilising substantial and innovative resources for climate adaptation and mitigation.

Climate resilience: an investment opportunity

Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, emphasised that “resilience is more than a concern for the future: it is also essential for development today.” He announced that MDBs are tripling their financing for resilience over the next decade, targeting $42 billion by 2030.

“At the Inter-American Development Bank, we are turning preparedness into protection and resilience into opportunity,” Goldfajn added.

Tanja Faller, Director of Technical Evaluation and Monitoring at the Council of Europe Development Bank, stressed that climate change “not only creates new threats, but also amplifies existing inequalities. The most socially vulnerable people are the hardest hit and the last to recover. This is how a climate crisis also becomes a social crisis.”

Representatives from the Islamic Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank Group, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,  the European Investment Bank, the New Development Bank and IDB Invest (the private sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group) also shared concrete examples of successful adaptation investments and strategies for mobilising new resources.

The African Development Bank leads by example

Kevin Kariuki, Vice President of the African Development Bank Group in charge of Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, presented the Bank’s leadership in advancing climate adaptation and mitigation. “At the African Development Bank, we understand the priorities of our countries: adaptation and mitigation are at the heart of our climate interventions.”

He highlighted the creation of the Climate Action Window, a new financing mechanism under the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional window for low-income countries.

“The African Development Bank is the only multilateral development bank with a portfolio of adaptation projects ready for investment through the Climate Action Window,” Kariuki noted, adding that Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland are among key co-financing partners.

Kariuki also showcased the Bank’s YouthADAPT programme, which has invested $5.4 million in 41 youth-led enterprises across 20 African countries, generating more than 10,000 jobs — 61 percent of which are led by women, and mobilising an additional $7 million in private and donor funding.

Representatives from Zambia, Mozambique and Jamaica also shared local perspectives on the financing needs of communities most exposed to climate risk.

Lula launches his COP in the Amazon

The panel followed the official opening of COP30, marked by a passionate appeal from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for greater climate investment to prevent a “tragedy for humanity.”

“Without the Paris Agreement, we would see a 4–5°C increase in global temperatures,” Lula warned. “Our call to action is based on three pillars: honouring commitments; accelerating public action with a roadmap enabling humanity to move away from fossil fuels and deforestation; and placing humanity at the heart of the climate action programme: thousands of people are living in poverty and deprivation as a result of climate change.”

“The climate emergency is a crisis of inequality,” he continued. “We must build a future that is not doomed to tragedy. We must ensure that we live in a world where we can still dream.”

Outgoing COP President Mukhtar Babayevn, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology, urged developed nations to fulfil their promises made at the Baku Conference, including commitments to mobilise $300 billion in climate finance. He called for stronger political will and multilateral cooperation, before handing over the COP presidency to Brazilian diplomat André Corrêa do Lago, who now leads the negotiations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Romaric Ollo Hien,
Department of Communication and External Relations,
media@afdb.org

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The Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) Announces Landmark Investment in Africa Minerals and Metals Processing Platform (A2MP) to Drive Africa’s Mining and Industrial Transformation

Source: APO


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The Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development equity impact investment arm of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), is pleased to announce a US$300 million strategic investment in the Africa Minerals and Metals Processing Platform (A2MP).

This investment underscores Afreximbank’s commitment to supporting Africa’s mining sector and ensuring the continent’s vast mineral wealth becomes a catalyst for sustainable economic growth rather than a source of continued resource dependency.

Rooted in over a decade of successful mining ventures, A2MP has evolved into a diversified pan-African platform focused on mining and processing. The platform aims to unlock and scale minerals and metals value chains sustainably across the continent. The platform currently operates a robust pipeline of twelve mineral assets and four processing hubs, with a diversified portfolio spanning nine countries on the continent.

This extensive footprint places A2MP at the forefront of efforts to develop integrated minerals and metals value chains, unlocking new pathways for Africa’s industrial growth and global market integration — particularly at a time when the industry faces mounting challenges from the depletion of high-grade and easily accessible ore reserves.

A2MP brings together a diversified portfolio of leading mining assets and operating companies across multiple mineral classes, including gold, bauxite and alumina, manganese, iron ore amongst others. A2MP will also develop additional processing hubs, including those for rare earths, battery precursors, and other critical minerals, to strengthen value addition across the continent.

Dr. George Elombi, the new President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank and FEDA commented: “We are pleased to have successfully closed this investment in Africa Minerals and Metals Processing Platform (A2MP), which aligns with our broad vision to change the structure of Africa’s trade and economy. With this investment, Afreximbank is helping the continent transition structurally from raw-material exports to a fully integrated system of mining and local manufacturing. Our investment in the platform will scale local processing capacity and build the infrastructure needed for value addition across multiple mineral classes. A2MP’s integrated platform ensures that a greater share of the continent’s mineral wealth is retained within African economies, enabling the creation of competitive industrial clusters and high-value jobs.”

Gagan Gupta, Founder of A2MP: “FEDA and Afreximbank’s support marks a pivotal moment for Africa’s industrial journey. It’s more than a financial partnership; it is a bold affirmation of Africa’s potential to lead the global value chain in minerals and metals. This strategic investment allows us to scale our fully integrated model of responsible extraction, processing, and transformation while accelerating the creation of high-value local industries across Africa. Our ambition is to make A2MP the backbone of the continent’s next industrial revolution, create thousands of jobs, and deliver lasting impact for communities. With FEDA and Afreximbank as key partners, we are confident in our ability to shift global perceptions of Africa, from a resource-rich continent to a processing and manufacturing powerhouse.”

Marlene Ngoyi, CEO of FEDA noted: “Our investment in A2MP embodies the type of transformative investment that aligns perfectly with our vision for Africa’s mining future. The platform’s model is built on retaining beneficiation and processing within the continent, ensuring that the real economic value of Africa’s mineral wealth is captured locally. By offering diversified exposure across a broad range of strategic minerals, A2MP stands out as a unique platform capable of building depth across critical value chains while providing resilience and sustainability.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. 

About FEDA:
The Fund for Export Development in Africa (“FEDA”) is the impact investment subsidiary of Afreximbank (www.Afreximbank.com), set up to provide equity, quasi-equity, and debt capital to finance the multi-billion-dollar funding gap (particularly in equity) needed to transform the Trade sector in Africa. FEDA pursues a multi-sector investment strategy along the intra-African trade, value-added export development, and manufacturing value chain which includes financial services, technology, consumer and retail goods, manufacturing, transport & logistics, agribusiness, as well as ancillary trade enabling infrastructure such as industrial parks.  To date, FEDA has invested more than US$1.3 billion in companies and projects across its various fund initiatives, in sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, financial services, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, amongst others.

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30e Conférence des parties (COP 30) : les banques multilatérales de développement réaffirment leur engagement au financement climatique et promettent des financements innovants pour l’adaptation

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Les banques multilatérales de développement ont réaffirmé, lundi à Belém, au Brésil, leur engagement en faveur du financement climatique et s’engagent à fournir davantage de financements innovants pour contribuer à l’adaptation et à la résilience climatiques.

« Financer la résilience face au climat, n’est pas un coût, c’est un investissement ». C’est à cette conclusion que de hauts responsables de banques multilatérales de développement (BMD) sont parvenus à l’issue d’une session parallèle organisée par les Fonds d’investissement climatiques (CIF) au premier jour de la 30e Conférence des parties (COP30) sur les changements climatiques qui se tient du 10 au 21 novembre à Belém, au Brésil.

Lors du panel intitulé « Accélérer l’adaptation au changement climatique à grande échelle », ces responsables de BMD, parmi lesquels le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, ont expliqué comment leurs institutions font face à leurs engagements de l’Accord de Paris par la mobilisation de ressources substantielles et innovantes pour l’adaptation et l’atténuation climatiques.

La résilience climatique, une opportunité d’investissement

Le président du Groupe de la Banque interaméricaine de développement, Ilan Goldfajn, a affirmé que « la résilience est plus qu’une préoccupation d’avenir : elle est aussi essentielle au développement dès aujourd’hui. »

« Les banques multilatérales de développement intensifient leurs efforts en matière d’adaptation en triplant leurs financements pour la résilience en dix ans, afin d’atteindre 42 milliards de dollars d’ici à 2030 », a-t-il souligné.

« À la Banque interaméricaine de développement, nous transformons la préparation en protection et la résilience en opportunité », a-t-il insisté.

Tanja Faller, directrice de l’évaluation technique et du suivi à la Banque de développement du Conseil de l’Europe a déclaré que le changement climatique « ne se contente pas seulement de créer de nouvelles menaces, il amplifie également les inégalités existantes. Les personnes les plus vulnérables au plan social sont les plus durement touchées et les dernières à se rétablir. C’est ainsi qu’une crise climatique se transforme aussi en crise sociale. »

C’est justement pour répondre aux conséquences des changements climatiques que les BMD doivent faire davantage en faveur l’adaptation.

Les panélistes issus de la Banque islamique de développement, de la Banque asiatique d’investissement dans les infrastructures, de la Banque asiatique de développement, du Groupe de la Banque mondiale, de la Banque européenne pour la reconstruction et le développement,  de la Banque européenne d’investissement, de la Nouvelle banque de développement, d’IDB Invest (branche du secteur privé de la Banque interaméricaine de  développement) ont donné des exemples concrets des modalités de mobilisation des ressources dans le cadre de l’adaptation, avec des exemples d’investissement de réussis.

La Banque africaine de développement montre l’exemple

Kevin Kariuki, vice-président du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement chargé de l’Électricité, de l’Énergie, du Climat et de la Croissance verte, a détaillé les actions de son institution en faveur de l’adaptation et de l’atténuation climatiques. « À la Banque africaine de développement, nous avons compris les priorités pour nos pays : l’adaptation et l’atténuation constituent l’essentiel de nos interventions en matière climatique ».

Il a expliqué comment la Banque avait intensifié ses actions d’investissement sur le climat en créant un dernier instrument de financement, le Guichet d’action climatique adossé au Fonds africain de développement, le guichet concessionnel du Groupe de la Banque, destiné aux pays à plus faible revenu.

« La Banque africaine de développement est la seule banque multilatérale de développement à disposer d’un portefeuille de projets d’adaptation prêts à l’investissement via le Guichet d’action climatique », a déclaré M. Kariuki, soulignant que des pays comme l’Allemagne, la Grande Bretagne ou la Suisse étaient devenus des partenaires pour cofinancer ce portefeuille. 

M. Kariuki a également décrit d’autres mécanismes mis en place par le Groupe de la Banque pour l’adaptation comme le programme YouthADAPT pour les jeunes africains. Ce programme a récemment investi 5,4 millions de dollars dans 41 entreprises dirigées par des jeunes dans 20 pays africains, générant plus de 10 000 emplois (61 % de ces entreprises sont dirigées par des femmes) et mobilisant 7 millions de dollars de financements privés et de donateurs supplémentaires.

Des représentants de la Zambie, du Mozambique, de la Jamaïque sont également intervenu lors de ce panel pour faire part des actions de financement attendues par les communautés face à l’étau climatique.

Lula lance sa COP dans l’Amazonie

Ce panel a été tenu peu après l’ouverture officielle de la COP 30 marquée par un appel vibrant du président brésilien Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a davantage d’investissements sur le climat pour éviter « la tragédie à l’humanité ».

« Sans l’accord de Paris on connaîtrait une augmentation de 4-5 degrés de la surface de la terre » (…) et notre appel à l’action repose sur trois piliers : le respect des engagements ; l’accélération de l’action publique avec une feuille de route permettant à l’humanité de sortir des énergies fossiles et de la déforestation ; et placer l’humanité au cœur du programme d’action climatique : de milliers de personnes sont dans la pauvreté et le dénuement du fait des changements climatiques. »

Pour le président brésilien « l’urgence climatique est une crise des inégalités. Elle exacerbe une situation déjà inacceptable. Nous devons bâtir un avenir qui ne soit pas voué à la tragédie. Nous devons faire en sorte de vivre dans un monde où l’on peut encore rêver », a conclu le président Lula.

Peu avant lui, le président sortant de la COP, le ministre azerbaïdjanais de l’Écologie, Mukhtar Babayevn, avait fixé le cap de la COP 30 et appelé le monde développé au respect des engagements de la Conférence de Baku. « Vous devez prendre des engagements pour nous dire comment les 300 milliards de dollars promis seront fournis », a-t-il ajouté.

Tout en reconnaissant qu’il y a des obstacles à la coopération multilatérale, il a appelé à renforcer la volonté politique pour une action mondiale et la construction d’un avenir meilleur.

« Ensemble, montrons au monde, ce dont nous sommes capables, tenons nos promesses. », a-t-il conclu avant de céder la présidence de la COP au diplomate brésilien André Corrêa do Lago pour conduire les délicates négociations au cœur de l’Amazonie.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact médias :
Romaric Ollo Hien,
Département de la communication et des relations extérieures,
media@afdb.org

Media files

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New inflation target decision followed consultation

Source: Government of South Africa

The announcement of a new inflation target for South Africa of 3% with a 1 percentage point tolerance band, follows agreement between the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Lesetja Kganyago and the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana.

Minister Godongwana, who made the announcement during the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement on Wednesday, had further consulted with the President and Cabinet on the decision.

A statement issued jointly by the National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank said the 1 percentage point band provides flexibility to accommodate any unexpected inflationary shocks.

“This is in line with South Africa’s approach to inflation targeting, which has always been a flexible one, looking beyond short-run deviations in inflation,” said the statement.

As part of a broader review of macroeconomic policy and in line with international developments, National Treasury and the SARB, both separately and collaboratively through the Macroeconomic Standing Committee, undertook a comprehensive assessment of the appropriate level of the inflation target.

This work has now been concluded and recommended a revision to the target to strengthen the framework and enhance price stability by better anchoring inflation expectations and aligning South Africa to international best practice.

“The new target immediately replaces the previous target range of between 3 and 6%, and will be implemented over the next two years. Over time, the lower target will decrease inflation expectations and inflation, creating room for lower interest rates. This supports household spending and business investment, boosting economic growth and job creation,” the statement said.

The benefits and costs of a lower target were carefully considered in the decision, said the National Treasury and Reserve Bank.

“While, the short-term fiscal costs of a lower target, which include lower nominal gross domestic product and revenue growth, make achieving fiscal targets more challenging, the long-term benefits for the economy far outweigh the costs.

“The SARB will pursue the target on a continuous basis and clearly communicate any deviations from the target.”

National Treasury and the SARB said they will continue working closely to ensure effective policy coordination as the economy navigates global uncertainty and domestic structural challenges. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Decision on proposed R20 billion tax increases still to be made

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africans will have to wait until the 2026 Budget to find out whether the proposed R20 billion in additional tax increases can be withdrawn. 

Presenting the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) at a sitting of the National Assembly at the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana said a final decision will be announced in the 2026 Budget. 

“As indicated in the 2025 Budget, an additional R4 billion was allocated to the South African Revenue Services (SARS). This allocation was intended in part to strengthen debt collection, and thereby increase revenue collected, by between R20 and R50 billion per year.

“We will continue to monitor SARS’s revenue performance for the remainder of the year. This assessment will inform whether the R20 billion in additional tax increases for the 2026 Budget, as earlier proposed, can be withdrawn,” the Minister said on Wednesday.

He said the better than estimated tax revenue, of R19.7 billion, is due to stronger household expenditure, which has boosted value-added tax collections, and improvements in corporate tax receipts and dividend tax. 

“Lower than expected VAT refunds also contributed to the improved revenue outlook. This higher revenue allows us to bring forward some once-off expenditure,” the Minister said.

Adjustments 

For the current year, an additional expenditure of R15.8 billion is proposed. 

“Madam Speaker, the adjustment in revenue means that we can make changes to our spending estimates. Amongst the in-year adjustments is also R2 billion for the rebuilding of Parliament, and R1 billion to the Independent Electoral Commission for the 2026 municipal elections. 

“In addition, the spending announced in the May Budget for the National Dialogue, as well as its carry through costs, are catered for. 

“These allocations are on top of the additional funding provisions for Education and Health announced in the May Budget,” the Minister said.

Combating the illicit economy

According to SARS, since 2020, government has lost around R40 billion in excise revenue to the cigarette black market.

“The same is true for illicit alcohol and fuel. Government is clamping down on this illegal trade. In the last six months, SARS suspended three licenses for non-compliant tobacco production,” the Minister said.

He highlighted that South Africa faces a problem of illicit trade that threatens the economy, endangers consumers, and robs the fiscus of billions in revenue.

“The Financial Intelligence Centre has provided intelligence reports to SARS to assist in investigations of criminal syndicates. 

“Together they have identified illicit markets in tobacco, precious metals, fuel and procurement fraud,” the Minister said.

Godongwana called on customs officials to fulfil their duty to prevent criminals from dodging taxes and flooding the markets with dangerous products. –SAnews.gov.za

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Government on path to increase infrastructure development

Source: Government of South Africa

With the recognition that higher and more efficient infrastructure investment is essential to unlock faster and more inclusive growth, government is partnering with the private sector to strengthen infrastructure delivery and improve the quality of spending.

“We are leveraging public resources to mobilise private finance and expertise at scale to strengthen service delivery, improve spending effectiveness and drive higher economic growth,” Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana said on Wednesday.

Presenting the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) at a sitting of the National Assembly at the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament, the Minister said capital payments are the fastest growing expenditure item at 7.5% over the medium-term.

In line with the vision contributing towards economic growth and advancing the pillar of growth-enhancing infrastructure, government is shifting the composition of spending from consumption to investment. 

The amendments to Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) took effect on 1 June 2025, and these unlock the potential across spheres of government and streamline approvals for smaller projects.

“Three weeks ago, new guidelines on unsolicited bids and fiscal commitments and contingent liabilities were issued and these took effect immediately. 

“The unsolicited bid guideline provides a clear structured pathway for the private sector to submit project ideas to government. 

“It also provides a framework for reporting and managing of fiscal commitments and contingent liabilities arising from PPP projects,” the Minister said.

Municipal PPP regulations will be amended by 2026. 

Leveraging lessons from the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers (IPPs) project, to streamline planning and procurement, the Department of Transport’s private-sector participation unit is reviving the passenger transport and logistics sector. 

“Following strong interest from the freight logistics requests for information, the unit will issue the first rail corridor request for proposal by December 2025, with others following in early 2026. 

“The unit has also issued requests for information for investment opportunities in modernising and growing the passenger rail system. 

“The Water Partnerships Office is making progress in preparing non-revenue water and reuse projects across municipalities. These will create a robust pipeline for the private sector to co-invest in,” the Minister said.

Government has reconfigured the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) to run four bid windows annually instead of just one.

Since the reconfiguration, the BFI has received 28 submissions. Nine projects were accepted for detailed analysis. 

“Funding to the tune of R4.1 billion is also allocated for disaster relief to fix schools, pipelines, clinics and substations damaged between last year and this year by flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape. 

“To raise the funding for these BFI projects, a new infrastructure bond will be launched soon to raise a minimum of R15 billion.

“The bond forms part of our efforts to introduce dedicated financing instruments that can mobilise cheaper financing to support our infrastructure agenda,” the Minister said.

Government will also contribute to R2 billion to capitalise the Credit Guarantee Vehicle. 

“Initially, the vehicle will support electricity transmission expansion, directly contributing to our efforts at energy security while also driving decarbonisation. 

“This heralds a new era in PPPs, where private investment in high-voltage transmission lines is enabled. This is real progress in our move away from merely fixing the power utility to securing power to the grid from a range of sources.

“This is real progress in our move away from merely fixing the power utility to securing power to the grid from a range of sources,” he said.

The Minister said it was a key and innovative part of infrastructure reforms developed with international partners to de-risk private investment without state guarantees.

“We are also committed to simplifying the institutional arrangements across the infrastructure ecosystem. The new Infrastructure Finance and Implementation Support Agency will be operational by March 2026,” he said.

The agency will provide project preparation support to supply the BFI pipeline. 

“It will centralise infrastructure finance functions to systematically crowd-in private capital and promote the use of alternative delivery mechanisms. 

“Madam Speaker, municipalities are at the forefront of providing essential services. However, many are fraught with capacity constraints that hinder their ability to turn allocated budgets into reliable services. 

“It is for these reasons that several reforms have been introduced to urgently remedy this untenable situation,” the Minister said.

Government is piloting a utility reform programme to stabilise and professionalise water and electricity businesses in a few municipalities in Mpumalanga.

“We will use accredited indirect delivery partners such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) to provide the infrastructure while building municipal capability to do this on their own. 

“Honourable members, this is how we will ensure that our goal of public sector investment in infrastructure exceeds the R1 trillion mark over the next three years,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Public Procurement Payments Dashboard goes live

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Government has launched the Procurement Payments Dashboard to improve transparency and accountability in public procurement.

This was announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament on Wednesday.

The dashboard will use data pulled from government’s payments systems including the Basic Accounting System (BAS) as well as the supplier database, supplemented by contract data reported on the eTender Portal and supplier information from the Central Supplier Database.

“This dashboard, which is available on the National Treasury eTender website, shows the payments made to suppliers by most national and provincial government departments as captured on our payments system.

“This represents a massive step forward in procurement transparency. The dashboard will help identify inefficiencies, anomalies and uncovering opportunities for consolidation.

“It also enables analysis of procurement expenditure and the suppliers that do business with the state, giving citizens, academics and civil society the ability to hold departments accountable supporting efforts to fight corruption and fraud,” the Minister said.

Rooting out corruption

An audit to identify ghost workers and payment irregularities across national and provincial departments has identified nearly 9000 high-risk cases requiring further verification.

“We are…waging war on ghost workers in public service. We have heard calls from all political parties and civil society.

“National Treasury is working closely with the Department of Public Service Administration and Home Affairs on a data-driven approach that integrates systems across government,” the Minister said.

According to National Treasury, the verification process of the high-risk cases will begin in January followed by “appropriate legal action”.

“The next phase of this project will use a single sign-on application being developed for public servants as well as improvements to the government payroll system to automate monitoring to prevent irregularities and improve spending efficiency,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Infrastructure drive firmly on the roll

Source: Government of South Africa

Efforts to step infrastructure development are accelerating in South Africa – to support economic growth and drive improved service delivery.

This is according to National Treasury’s Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) released on Wednesday. 

In the maiden budget speech of the Government of National Unity (GNU) earlier this year, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a R1 trillion allocation for infrastructure investment over the medium term. 

“Infrastructure investment has strong direct and indirect effects on growth, boosting demand for inputs and workers in the short term and expanding the economy’s capacity to produce over the longer term.

“Reforms are under way to mobilise private-sector finance and technical expertise at scale. In parallel, there are initiatives to strengthen government’s ability to deliver infrastructure more efficiently and improve spending outcomes.

“These actions will address the persistent underspending of infrastructure budgets and enhance value for money,” National Treasury said.

Reforms to create a conducive environment for public-private partnerships (PPP) by “improving the PPP framework, strengthening institutional arrangements and enhancing monitoring and reporting”.

Amendments to Treasury Regulation 16 – which addresses PPPs – took effect in June.

“In October 2025, guidelines relating to unsolicited bids and fiscal commitments and contingent liabilities were published and took effect. These provide a clear, structured pathway for the private sector to submit innovative project ideas, including provisions for recoverable development fees. 

“They also provide a framework to identify, manage and report on fiscal commitments and contingent liabilities in anticipation of the expansion of the PPP market. Updates to the PPP manual and the development of sector-specific toolkits in priority sectors will be completed in 2026,” Treasury added.

Amendments to municipal PPP regulations are underway and are expected to be completed by February 2026, following COGTA concurrence.

Tabling the MTBPS in Parliament on Wednesday, the Minister gave more details on the reconfiguration of the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) which will now run four bid windows per year instead of one.

“Since the reconfiguration, the BFI has received 28 submissions. Nine projects were accepted for detailed analysis.

“Funding to the tune of R4.1 billion is also allocated for disaster relief to fix schools, pipelines, clinics and substations damaged between last year and this year by flooding in KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape,” he said.

A new infrastructure bond is expected to be launched to raise some R15 billion aimed at funding these BFI projects.

“The bond forms part of our efforts to introduce dedicated financing instruments that can mobilise cheaper financing to support our infrastructure agenda.

“Government will also contribute to R2 billion to capitalise the Credit Guarantee Vehicle. Initially, the vehicle will support electricity transmission expansion, directly contributing to our efforts at energy security while also driving decarbonisation.

“This heralds a new era in PPPs, where private investment in high-voltage transmission lines is enabled. This is real progress in our move away from merely fixing the power utility to securing power to the grid from a range of sources,” Godongwana added.

The Infrastructure Finance and Implementation Support Agency is expected to be operational by March 2026 to “infrastructure finance functions to systematically crowd-in private capital and promote the use of alternative delivery mechanisms”. – SAnews.gov.za

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Petrosen Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins MSGBC 2025 Amid Senegal’s Energy Success Story

Source: APO – Report:

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Alioune Guèye, CEO, Petrosen Holding, will speak at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 Conference and Exhibition, taking place in Dakar from 8–10 December and will provide insights on Petrosen’s leading role in Senegal’s rapidly‑evolving oil and gas sector.

As Senegal’s national oil company, Petrosen holds an 18 % stake in the Sangomar offshore oil field (https://apo-opa.co/43liHVy), operated by international oil company Woodside. The field began production in June 2024 and as of August 2025, had already produced over 24 million barrels, prompting the Senegalese government to revise the 2025 output forecast to 34.5 million barrels. This upward revision highlights the project’s quicker-than‑expected ramp‑up and underlines Petrosen’s position in Senegal’s first major offshore oil development. 

The NOC is also actively engaged in the natural gas sector as a partner in the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG project –  a landmark joint development between Senegal and Mauritania. Spearheaded by multinational oil and gas company bp, upstream oil company Kosmos Energy, Petrosen, and Mauritania’s NOC, Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures, the project shipped its first LNG cargo this year, marking the entry of Senegal into global LNG exports. Phase 1 of the GTA project has a production capacity of around 2.3–2.4 million tons per year, with 20–25 % of output expected to be allocated for domestic consumption.

Additionally, Petrosen is instrumental in advancing the Yakaar‑Teranga gas project (https://apo-opa.co/4nONPUA), looking for additional partners to join Kosmos Energy. The project is structured to supply 150 – 250 million standard cubic feet per day of gas to domestic power generation and industrial users.

With Senegal aiming to end natural gas imports by 2027 and meet all domestic demand through local production, Petrosen is set to play a central role in monetizing gas from Yakaar-Teranga and GTA projects and channeling it toward national power generation and industrial use. 

As part of Senegal’s broader industrialization drive, Petrosen is trailblazing new downstream initiatives with the development of a gas-fed urea plant in Ndayane. Currently at the feasibility stage, the facility is designed to produce up to 1.2 million tons of fertilizer annually, targeting regional and international markets such as Mali, Brazil and the United States. By integrating domestic natural gas resources, Petrosen is positioning itself at the forefront of Senegal’s transition from hydrocarbon extraction to value-added industrial production.

“Petrosen’s leadership in major projects such as GTA, Yakaar-Teranga, and Sangomar demonstrates Senegal’s commitment to long-term value creation throughout the energy sector. This also signals to global investors that Senegal is fiscally sound and open for business,” says Sandra Jeque, Events & Project Director, Energy Capital & Power. 

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.MSGBCOilGasAndPower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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South Africa reaffirms commitment to equitable water and sanitation access

Source: Government of South Africa

The Ministry of Water and Sanitation has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating equitable and sustainable access to water and sanitation services across South Africa.

The commitment was made at the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA) Africa and Global South Water and Sanitation Dialogue, which is currently underway at Emperors Palace, in Johannesburg.

The dialogue was formally declared opened by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, supported by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, through a virtual address on Monday, 10 November 2025.

In his address, the Deputy President highlighted the urgency of advancing water security and dignified sanitation across all communities, while strengthening partnerships across Africa and the Global South.

More than 1,500 delegates are in attendance, including government leaders, water utility executives, researchers, civil society organisations, youth innovators, and private sector partners.

The Ministry recognises that Africa’s water and sanitation challenges are shared, transboundary and deeply interconnected. This is why South Africa continues to work closely with African governments, regional bodies and strategic global partners to advance the Africa Water Vision 2063, which seeks a prosperous and water-secure continent where water is equitably and sustainably managed.

Held under the theme: “Towards Sustainable Water and Sanitation Security in Africa”, the dialogue reflects and acknowledges the shared exposure to climate shocks, rapid urbanisation and the systemic pressures facing public infrastructure and institutions.

The dialogue goes beyond knowledge exchange but also creates a strategic platform, where policy harmonisation is pursued, technological solutions are tested for local relevance and cross-border partnerships are strengthened.

It also aims to accelerate infrastructure delivery, align regulatory reforms and unlock blended investment models capable of sustaining long-term development.

In her address, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina reiterated and emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing the delivery of water and sanitation services across the country, especially in disadvantaged and underserved communities.

“Our commitment is deeply rooted in restoring dignity to our communities. We are intensifying our work in the most disadvantaged and underserved areas. Every household, every school and every clinic deserves safe and dependable water. This is not just an aspiration; but a right we are actively realising through investment, partnership and accountable delivery,” Majodina said.

AWSISA was officially established in August this year through a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Department of Water and Sanitation. This milestone marked a shared effort to strengthen collaboration across the sector and expand access to clean water and dignified sanitation for communities in South Africa and across the continent.

The agreement cemented a unified commitment to unlock investment, drive innovation, and accelerate service delivery. It also provides a framework for aligning sector strategies and plans, promoting joint engagement on policy and regulatory reform, advancing research, data-sharing, and sector-wide capacity building, amongst others.

South Africa remains steadfast in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation and in supporting Africa’s collective progress toward a just, inclusive, and water-secure future. – SAnews.gov.za