Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), with the support of Pinsent Masons, on 19 March 2025 in Johannesburg, successfully hosted an event on the sidelines of the G20 Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) second meeting. The event, titled Prioritising the Financing and Funding of Infrastructure brought together key stakeholders from government, investors, development banks, and the private sector to discuss strategies for unlocking infrastructure investment.
The event featured a keynote address by the Gauteng Provincial Government, setting the stage for a robust roundtable discussion. Moderated by Claire Barclay from Pinsent Masons, panellists included Christophe Dossarps from Sustainable Infrastructure Foundation (SIF), Catherine Workman from Pinsent Masons, and experts from Development Bank of Southern Africa, Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers, and the New Development Bank.
This dialogue laid the groundwork for the G20 IWG meeting, emphasising the vital role of private sector engagement and collaborative efforts in strengthening infrastructure project preparation. The event anticipated the IWG’s commitment to fostering open dialogue with the private sector, reaffirming the public sector’s leadership in project prioritisation while showcasing the private sector’s adaptability and capacity for innovation. Source empowers governments, allowing them to lead, giving space for the private sector to innovate, as Catherine highlighted “when the government leads, the private sector follows”.
Key discussion themes included:
- Infrastructure project preparation – Exploring the role of the Source platform in streamlining project preparation.
- Funding models – Examining project preparation and equity funding mechanisms, including challenges in securing financing for emerging markets.
- Debt financing and credit enhancement – Evaluating the role of infrastructure bonds, blended finance models, and credit enhancement vehicles in mobilising investment.
This critical dialogue reinforced the importance of innovative financing mechanisms, enhanced collaboration, and structured project preparation to drive sustainable infrastructure development.