Industrial policy is once again central to global debates on economic growth and development. Governments worldwide are deploying new strategies to stay competitive amid geopolitical shifts, climate imperatives and rapid technological change. South Africa is no exception.

The International Economic Partnership (IEP) Programme invites you to join policymakers and experts for a four-part webinar series on industrial policy. The first of these webinars focuses on Growth Enhancing Infrastructure for Industrial Development. Infrastructure is the backbone of industrial development. Strategic investment in energy, transport, digital networks, and water systems can boost productivity, attract foreign investment, and enable innovation. Yet in South Africa, delivery has often been constrained by regulatory, institutional, and financing challenges.

This webinar brings together policymakers, researchers, and private sector representatives to examine:

• The role of infrastructure in stimulating industrial growth and competitiveness
• Which sectors and infrastructure types hold the greatest potential for impact
• Barriers that constrain delivery and how to unlock effective public–private partnerships (PPPs)
• How to ensure infrastructure development is inclusive, creating opportunities for women, youth, and historically disadvantaged communities
• Lessons from international experiences with infrastructure planning and financing

Key questions:

1. How has infrastructure investment contributed to industrial development and innovation in South Africa?
2. Which infrastructure priorities can most effectively drive competitiveness and attract foreign investment?
3. What reforms are needed to overcome regulatory and institutional bottlenecks?
4. How can inclusivity be embedded in infrastructure planning and delivery?
5. Looking forward, which two or three reforms should be prioritised to ensure infrastructure becomes a driver of long-term, inclusive growth?

The webinar includes a Keynote Presentation by Mark Swilling (Professor of Sustainable Development in the School of Public Leadership, University of Stellenbosch), and is followed by a panel discussion between Andreas Bertoldi, Stephen Smith and Annie Sugrue. Audience Q&A are also included.

Professor Mark Swilling is Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Development and Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST). His career research focus is on societal transitions, from democratization and governance to sustainability, with urban change as a consistent theme. He is the author of Age of Sustainability: Just Transitions in a Complex World (2019) and co-author of Just Transitions (2012), awarded international recognition. He has served on the UN International Resource Panel, is a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science, a Member of the Club of Rome, and a Commissioner on South Africa’s National Planning Commission.

Annie Sugrue is a Director at EcoSasa Developments. Annie is an established leader and innovator across the development sector in sustainable development, green economy, climate change, small business development, women economic empowerment and financial inclusion across a range of sectors. I can combine macro, scientific, business and social approaches in complex programs and projects with an understanding of, and commitment to, real life challenges and offerings across different stakeholder sectors. 

Dr Stephen Smith is a consulting policy advisor within the financial sector. He coordinates national and strategic initiatives for the Association for Savings and Investment SA, which represents the life and asset management industry. This has included work with policy makers, DFIs, national departments and multi-lateral organisations for some 13 years on infrastructure. He is involved with B4SA interventions with Government on structural reforms (energy, logistics). He represents Business on Nedlac’s Chamber of Public Finance and Monetary Policy and the BUSA Economic, Health and Tax Policy Committees. His PhD is in tax law (UCT) and has recently served as the Higher Education Minister’s representative on Council, various other Boards in the Higher Education Sector and a commercial member of the Tax Court (SA).

Andreas Betoldi has over 30 years’ experience in public policy, economic and financial advisory, with a focus on economic development, infrastructure, and urban development in Africa. He has worked extensively on strategy, policy, monitoring and evaluation, project and risk management, feasibility studies, and financial analysis for governments, private sector, and NGOs. His expertise includes capacity building and organisational development, and he has led numerous national evaluations and spending reviews. Recent projects include Johannesburg’s Inner-City Economic Development Roadmap, Rwanda’s Development Finance Strategy, and South Africa’s PPP Framework Review. He holds an MBA (cum laude) and multiple honours degrees.