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 listen to policymakers and experts for a four-part webinar series on industrial policy. The first of these webinars is chaired by Yash Ramkolowan and 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.
In this webinar, Mark Swilling, Annie Sugrue, Stephen Smith and Andreas Bertoldi discuss how infrastructure investment has contributed to industrial development and innovation in South Africa. Which infrastructure priorities can most effectively drive competitiveness and attract foreign investment? What reforms are needed to overcome regulatory and institutional bottlenecks How can inclusivity be embedded in infrastructure planning and delivery? And looking forward, which two or three reforms should be prioritised to ensure infrastructure becomes a driver of long-term, inclusive growth?
