The upcoming Pinpoint Stewards 2026 PPP Reforms Conference, taking place on 25–26 November 2026 at the Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg, will bring together government, investors, development finance institutions and infrastructure specialists to explore how regulatory reforms will modernise SA’s infrastructure model towards faster service delivery across all spheres of Government.
The good – The most compelling advantage is that South Africa has already demonstrated its ability to deliver complex partnerships. The challenge is to make the experience repeatable across sectors and municipalities, with projects that produce measurable long-term benefits.
The bad – The PPP pipeline has remained limited. National Treasury’s 2025 fiscal framework reported 35 completed PPP projects, excluding independent power producer projects, with an estimated combined value of R91.4-billion. Only three projects reached financial close between 2015 and 2025, highlighting the need to improve project preparation and implementation.
The ugly – The Auditor-General of SA reports show R40.14-billion in irregular municipal expenditures due to non-compliance with supply chain management laws. On top of that, State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) mismanagement and bailouts cost taxpayers R521-billion.
South Africa’s challenges include lengthy approvals, high transaction costs, insufficient project-preparation capacity, fragmented institutional responsibilities, affordability constraints and uncertainty around project risks. Municipalities often face additional financial and technical limitations.
The objective is therefore not simply to increase the number of PPPs, but to develop projects that apply the 3 core pillars of affordability, value for money and risk transfer, ultimately providing tangible public benefits and services.
Under the theme “Fast-Tracking Critical Projects in SA Through Shared Service Delivery,” the conference will examine how partnerships can support faster economic growth, job creation and improved infrastructure while protecting public finances and ensuring accountability.
Why the PPP reforms matter
The amended National Treasury Regulation 16, effective from 1 June 2025, introduced a more proportionate approval framework, including a simplified pathway for qualifying smaller projects valued below R2-billion. The reform programme also seeks to strengthen project preparation, clarify responsibilities and improve the management of fiscal commitments and contingent liabilities.
These changes matter because they can reduce unnecessary delays, improve institutional coordination and create clearer opportunities for private investment. Nevertheless, regulatory reform alone cannot guarantee success. Projects still require robust feasibility studies, realistic revenue forecasts, affordability assessments and effective contract management.
The road ahead: Government must identify priority projects, establish credible pipelines, strengthen technical capacity, apply procurement rules consistently and maintain transparent oversight. The private sector must contribute viable proposals, realistic financial models, innovative technologies and delivery expertise. PPPs should ultimately support South Africa’s national development priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Conference speakers and discussion themes
The announced programme brings together representatives and specialists associated with the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Transnet, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Western Cape Government, Mogale City Local Municipality, GIBB, the African Development Bank and PRASA.
Key discussions will cover:
- PPP success factors: Value for money, transparent procurement, appropriate risk allocation and sustainable financing.
- Project preparation and delivery: Moving from infrastructure priorities to bankable projects and financial close.
- Financial risk and accountability: Affordability, contingent liabilities and effective contract monitoring.
- Municipal partnerships: Overcoming local funding and capacity constraints.
- AI and innovation: Applying digital technologies to planning, infrastructure management and service delivery.
- Practical PPP and MOU agreements: Understanding contractual responsibilities, governance and common drafting pitfalls.
Turning reform into results
The Pinpoint Stewards’ PPP Reforms Conference aims to strengthen collaboration between public institutions, investors and development partners, helping turn regulatory improvements into practical infrastructure solutions.
For registration, partnerships and sponsorship enquiries, contact: info@pinpointsteards.co.za
