South Africa’s water crisis is no longer only an infrastructure challenge—it is a financing and governance challenge. While billions of rands are needed for water infrastructure investment, the bigger question is whether municipalities have the financial strength, institutional capability and accountability systems required to turn investment into sustainable services.
This webinar, hosted by SAIIA in partnership with DNA Economics, GreenCape and the Infrastructure Fund, challenged the current conversation by shifting the focus from infrastructure deficits to financeability. It explored why weak revenue systems, declining municipal creditworthiness, and institutional fragmentation continue to undermine water investment—and what must change to unlock sustainable financing solutions.
Municipalities are trapped in a cycle of rising infrastructure needs and weakening financial capacity. They need significant investment for rehabilitation, expansion, and maintenance, yet many struggle with revenue collection, financial management, and investor confidence. The result is a widening gap between what municipalities need and what they can realistically finance.
The critical policy question is: how do we move from funding water infrastructure to building financially sustainable water systems? This webinar examined the reforms, partnerships, and financing models needed to break the cycle and restore long-term service delivery resilience.
Moderator
Dr Ohiocheoya Omiunu, Visiting British Academy Research Fellow, SAIIA
Panellists
- Shirley Robinson, Practice Head: Climate and Public Economics, DNA Economics
- Raldo Kruger, Technical Specialist: Green Finance and Water Sector, GreenCape
- Imaan Ghoor, Senior Analyst, DNA Economics
- Vuyisiwe Mahafu, Senior Analyst, DNA Economics
- Victor Ngobeni, Head: Strategic Partnerships and Origination, Infrastructure Fund, Development Bank of Southern Africa
Watch the Recording
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