Development need
South South Africa faces significant challenges in achieving SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, with a score of 45.0. Scores for other goals include 48.7 for SDG 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing, 67.0 for SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, 79.0 for SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, and 77.9 for SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities.(1)

Policy priority
The National Planning Committee identified 9 primary challenges, 4 of which have infrastructure development needs and implications: the public health system cannot meet demand or sustain quality, the economy is unsustainably resource intensive, spatial divides hobble inclusive development, and infrastructure is poorly located, inadequate and undermaintained.(2)

Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
Poor infrastructure can exacerbate the gender gap. In low income countries, women collect over 70% of water and fuelwood. Women spend 200 million hours on water collection every day. Unsafe and low security transport also disadvantage women who are more affected by violence, which affects their wellbeing and workforce participation.(19)

Investment opportunities introduction
President Ramaphosa has an investment drive to mobilise $100 billion for priority sectors, including the energy, water, transport and logistics, and data and ICT sectors.(4) The Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa organised by the Investment and Infrastructure Office within the Presidency seeks to create a $20.5 billion infrastructure fund.(5)

Key bottlenecks introduction
High fixed costs, high levels of debt and low cash reserves may cause a liquidity crisis.(6) Construction was restricted during lockdown and sharp contractions of fixed investment can be expected as firms reconsider or postpone implementation.(7) Projects exposed to foreign currency risk foreign exchange fluctuations and further uncertainty if not previously hedged.(6)