South Africa’s official cement price indices are showing significantly stronger inflation than what many contractors and consumers are currently experiencing in the retail market. A comparison between Stats SA producer price data, consumer inflation data and current online hardware store pricing suggests that actual retail cement prices have remained relatively stable despite sharp increases reported…
Civil tender activity during April 2026 remained firmly driven by public sector infrastructure investment, with KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng emerging as the most active provinces. KwaZulu-Natal recorded a particularly strong pipeline of bulk water, stormwater and sanitation projects, including the major Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme upgrade, while Gauteng’s activity was dominated by large-scale water…
Summary: South Africa’s construction and infrastructure sector saw another eventful week, characterised by renewed investment activity in energy, logistics and mixed-use developments, alongside growing concerns around municipal instability, procurement failures and infrastructure deterioration. Major developments included new transmission and rail initiatives, large private-sector backed projects, stronger infrastructure funding commitments, and continued momentum in renewable energy…
South Africa’s mining and construction materials sectors showed further signs of stabilisation during the first quarter of 2026, with building materials production recording its third consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth. Mining production and cement-related mineral sales also improved compared to early 2025, pointing to somewhat firmer activity across parts of the infrastructure, mining-related and industrial…
South Africa’s construction labour force remained above long-term averages in Q1 2026 despite a weaker start to the year, highlighting the increasingly uneven nature of the sector’s recovery. While overall employment declined from the previous quarter, labour force levels remained higher year-on-year, with provinces such as Gauteng and the Western Cape continuing to outperform broader…
The March 2026 construction materials data highlights a divergence between building and civil-related cost trends, although the underlying drivers appear more cost-led than demand-driven. Building materials recorded relatively stronger inflation, with notable increases in electrical components, cement, and piping on an annual basis, alongside short-term gains in finishes such as paints and ceiling boards. However,…
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has outlined a set of risk scenarios highlighting how escalating geopolitical tensions—particularly in the Middle East—could materially worsen South Africa’s inflation and interest rate outlook. In its severe (worst-case) scenario, the SARB assumes a prolonged conflict lasting over a year, with significant disruption to global energy supply routes such…
The 2025 Q4 construction pipeline confirms that the sector remains in a transitional and uneven recovery phase, with activity increasingly shaped by a structural shift toward infrastructure-led growth. While overall pipeline levels remain under pressure in several provinces, the growing contribution from civil construction, particularly in transport, water and bulk infrastructure, is providing a more…
IMF downgraded South Africa’s GDP growth outlook to 1.0% for 2026 in the April 2026 World Economic Outlook Update. Treasury’s projected 1.6% growth estimate announced in February 2026, is an important assumption underpinning the R1 trillion infrastructure programme, and a lower growth outlook therefore materially weakens the sector’s delivery outlook. While the overall pipeline remains…
The February/March 2026 Construction Monitor highlights a South African construction sector that remains under pressure despite a relatively supportive macroeconomic backdrop. Inflation has eased to around 3%, supporting consumer activity—particularly retail segments linked to maintenance and renovations, but this resilience is largely confined to household-driven demand. In contrast, investment-led activity remains weak, reflected in declining…
The total number square metres approved by local government…
R35bn Transnet Push and R8.1bn Metro Funding Put Infrastructure…
