The British High Commission (BHC) in Pretoria has announced that the UK government will provide R180-million towards economic development for South Africa’s cities.

Particularly, the funding is aimed at helping to alleviate inequality, improve service delivery and improve infrastructure planning in metros and secondary cities.

About R36-million of the amount has already been awarded to South African civil society and research organisations Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation, Human Sciences Research Council and Open Cities Lab to deliver the National Treasury Township Economic Development initiative, as well as urban data solutions in metros.

An amount of R125-million has been set aside for local economic development in secondary cities to enable improvements in socioeconomic conditions, support the just energy transition, boost infrastructure delivery and strengthen urban-rural linkages in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.

During the announcement, which was made at a launch event of the Urban Resilience Programme , which is a partnership between BHC, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), South African Local Government Association, Treasury and municipalities, CoGTA deputy director-general for policy, governance and administration Dr Kevin Naidoo highlighted the important role of cities in enabling inclusive growth, generate economic opportunities and reducing inequalities.

BHC economic councillor Mike Foster agreed, saying cities are the engines of economic growth and that an inclusive approach to urban development is key to achieving an inclusive economy. 

“This is at the heart of the UK’s urban partnership with South Africa, promoting greater access to services, economic opportunities and climate resilience,” he noted.

Naidoo added experts to be deployed in this technical assistance programme should assist in co-creating policies that align with global best practices while factoring the specific challenges and opportunities within South Africa and the local spaces identified for support – thereby creating robust and sustainable long-term economic plans that address specific challenges while leveraging on global best practices.

“Our collective efforts should demonstrate our commitment to building a future that is marked not only by economic progress but also by social cohesion and environmental stewardship,” he stated.

In turn, Treasury also welcomed the partnership with the UK government in championing South Africa’s urban reform agenda in metros and secondary cities.

“Its financing of the Township Economic Development and Spatialised Economic Activity Data work in the Cities Support Programme will enable evidence-based, integrated and participatory approaches to revitalising marginal and core city economic spaces. 

“More than ever before, broad partnerships at all levels of government and cities are required to overcome our challenges to meet our national development goals,” commented Treasury cities support programme lead Sibongile Mazibuko.