South Africa Launches First Project Preparation Bid Window For State, Public Entities

A new project preparation bid window, the first of its kind, has been announced, which allows state-owned entities, public organizations and municipalities to apply for support in preparing projects.

The new bid window builds on the 12 infrastructure initiatives that President Cyril Ramaphosa announced at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium in South Africa (SIDSSA) in March.

The project preparation bid window was launched by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and the Acting Head of Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) Mameetse Masemola in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

These initiatives have already received the first R179 million in project preparation funding from the National Treasury, which is allocated to ISA to support important projects that would not move forward without this funding.

"As we unveil the first-of-its-kind project preparation bid window, we are taking a decisive step towards achieving the economic growth and job creation that our country so desperately needs," Macpherson said, SA News reported.

The bid window invites applications from national and provincial governments including state-owned entities, public organizations, municipalities and private sector projects for support in preparing projects.

Dean Macpherson mentioned that this initiative is an important step towards increasing infrastructure investment in the country. He noted that the announcement marks a massive moment for South Africa and represents a shift in the work done by ISA.

He emphasized that the focus is now on building infrastructure rather than just discussing future projects. This initiative will allow the country to move from planning to action, creating a foundation for sustainable infrastructure that will support long-term development.

The minister explained that the focus is not just on materials like bricks, mortar, or steel but it's about building a strong foundation for the economy to grow, for people to succeed and for the nation to advance.

He added, "Infrastructure development touches every aspect of our lives, from the water we drink to the roads we drive on and it has the power to transform not only our economy but our society as a whole. The project preparation bid window we are unveiling today is therefore a game-changer."

Both Macpherson and Masemola pointed out that a major challenge to infrastructure development in South Africa has been the lack of adequate support for preparing projects.

He mentioned that they provide the necessary tools to ensure that infrastructure projects are ready for implementation, allowing them to be carried out efficiently and effectively.

With ISA leading the effort, the government expects to see more construction cranes and roads built and more renewable energy projects starting up.