The estimated nominal value of civil projects put out to tender in South Africa rose to R6.8 billion in August 2024, up from R5.5 billion in July. However, this figure remains nearly 20% lower compared to August 2023. The Western Cape led with the highest project value at R1.3 billion, followed by KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Free State, all recording over R1 billion worth of tenders for the month.
Provinces showing significant growth compared to last year include the Western Cape (up 97%), the Free State (up 38%), and the Eastern Cape, which saw its tender value more than double, though remaining below R800 million. Despite these gains, overall tender values for the first eight months of 2024 are down 7% year-on-year in nominal terms, totaling R63 billion. KwaZulu-Natal showed the strongest growth, with a 24% increase (R3.2 billion) to R16.7 billion.
In contrast, Gauteng’s civil tender values dropped sharply, down 41% year-on-year, equivalent to a nearly R5 billion decline, despite a significant 100% increase in road project tenders. Eastern Cape and Western Cape tender values fell by 13% and 19%, respectively. The overall slowdown in road construction tenders, except in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and the Free State, has dragged down tender activity. On the positive side, water-related civil projects saw tender value increases in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Western Cape during the first eight months of 2024.
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