US$ 465 billion South Africa infrastructure plan outlined

South African President Jacob Zuma has presented plans for a ZAR 4 trillion (US$ 465 billion) package of strategic infrastructure projects over the next 15 years, supporting new road, rail, ports, energy and communication projects in the country.

Mr Zuma said the state would invest around ZAR 844 billion (US$ 98 billion) in the coming three years alone, while the private sector would be expected to contribute to some of the projects, such as industrial projects connected to infrastructure.

The government is also proposing an Infrastructure Development Act to strengthen the country’s National Infrastructure Plan, under which the strategic infrastructure projects are planned.

Mr Zuma said his government had singled out infrastructure for special focus. “Our view is that infrastructure development is a catalyst to sustainable economic development and to the improvement of the quality of life of our people in a most fundamental way,” he said.