The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Government of National Unity have signed a Joint Project Preparation Facility (JPPF) Agreement aimed at accelerating infrastructure development within South Africa.
A joint statement indicated that the JPPF was also intended to advance Africa’s broader growth and integration agenda.
The agreement was finalised during the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) in Algiers, with the Facility expected to unlock investments of no less than US$750 million.
The JPPF combines Afreximbank’s financial and technical expertise with the strategic oversight of Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), which operates under the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
The initiative will focus on co-financing and preparing bankable projects in key sectors such as energy, transport, logistics and digital infrastructure.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency of South Africa, Kenny Molong, said the collaboration aimed to mobilise private-sector investment, generate socio-economic benefits, and required a collective effort beyond the capabilities of any single nation or institution.
Oluranti Doherty, Afreximbank’s managing director of Export Development, said JPPF supported the development of a cohesive, interconnected infrastructure system.
This will enhance regional competitiveness, foster economic growth, and bring benefits across the Southern African Development Community.
She added that Afreximbank would provide both capital and technical expertise to reduce risks during the project preparation phase and speed up project delivery.
The acting head of Infrastructure South Africa, Mameetse Masemola, described the agreement as a significant milestone for South Africa.
She confirmed that it would help build a credible and sustainable infrastructure pipeline, aligning with the mandate given by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The signing coincided with the successful conclusion of IATF2025 in Algiers, attended by more than 112 000 visitors, more than 2 100 exhibitors, and resulting in trade and investment deals exceeding US$48 billion.
The event was attended by 20 Heads of State and Government alongside senior officials and prominent business leaders.
Since its inception in 2018, IATF has served as a strategic platform for African and international businesses to showcase products and services, exchange market intelligence, and identify opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA represents a single market of 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP surpassing US$3.5 trillion.
Afreximbank and the South African Government reaffirm their commitment to the JPPF’s objectives and their shared resolve to promote infrastructure development as a catalyst for sustainable growth and regional integration.
