Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the critical role of infrastructure investment in driving South Africa's economic growth, job creation, and regional integration. Speaking at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) 2026, he highlighted the necessity of infrastructure for integrating the Southern African region and the broader African continent. According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa outlined the essential need for infrastructure such as roads, bridges, rail lines, ports, power lines, data cables, and gas pipelines that connect various sectors and regions. He stressed how these networks are crucial for linking mines to factories, farms to markets, and other key economic activities, placing infrastructure investment at the core of efforts for inclusive growth and job creation. President Ramaphosa underscored the importance of reliable energy, sufficient water supply, efficient transport systems, digital connectivity, and function al urban areas in fostering economic growth. He noted that infrastructure significantly impacts the daily lives of South Africans, affecting access to clean water, sanitation, education, transportation, and business operations. The President acknowledged the need for a fundamental change in how South Africa plans, prepares, finances, and delivers infrastructure, citing the fragmentation of the current system. He pointed to the strengthened coordination efforts through the Infrastructure Development Act and the role of Infrastructure South Africa in advancing the country's infrastructure projects. He revealed that the estimated capital value of Strategic Integrated Projects has increased from R340 billion in 2020 to over R1.67 trillion. With 195 infrastructure projects underway across priority sectors, he noted that 32 projects valued at approximately R48 billion have been completed, and 55 projects worth more than R407 billion are currently under construction. President Ramaphosa highlighted the challenge of inadequately prepared projects as a constraint to infrastructure development. He emphasized the critical role of Infrastructure South Africa, which coordinates and facilitates these projects under the Infrastructure Development Act. The agency's R600 million project preparation facility has supported 26 projects, focusing particularly on municipal infrastructure delivery as a foundation for inclusive economic growth. The SIDSSA 2026 programme aims to foster dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and create collaboration opportunities among leaders in infrastructure development. The summit, attended by over 1,000 guests, including delegates from neighboring countries, concludes today.