SA Strengthens Economic Arteries Through R18.5bn National Roads Investment

An entity of the Department of Transport, SANRAL is the state-owned company responsible for planning, constructing, managing, and maintaining South Africa’s national roads.

With a vast road infrastructure network stretching 27,478 kilometres, South Africa’s national roads continue to serve as the lifeblood of the economy, connecting industries, communities, and markets across the country and beyond.

Over 70% of all freight transported on land moves along this network — underscoring the critical importance of maintaining safe, efficient, and reliable roads to support trade, logistics, and economic growth.

“In this country, over 70% of the freight that moves on the surface, moves on the national road network, not on rail,” said Vusi Mona, General Manager for Marketing and Communications at the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL). “The road network is a critical component of our economic life. For goods entering or leaving through our ports, a reliable road network is essential to reach their destinations.”

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National Roads: The Backbone of the Economy

An entity of the Department of Transport, SANRAL is the state-owned company responsible for planning, constructing, managing, and maintaining South Africa’s national roads. Its work ensures that road infrastructure not only supports the domestic economy but also strengthens regional integration across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Through ongoing upgrades, rehabilitation, and safety interventions, SANRAL is transforming South Africa’s transport arteries into engines of inclusive growth. These projects connect rural and urban areas, facilitate commerce, and create employment opportunities — directly linking infrastructure development with social and economic upliftment.

“The road network must contribute not only to South Africa’s development, but to the region’s development,” Mona said. “It connects us to neighbouring countries, facilitates the movement of people and goods, and strengthens regional trade corridors.”

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Transport Month: Investing in Connectivity and Growth

October marks Transport Month, an annual campaign that highlights the role of transport in driving the economy and creating jobs. This year’s observance coincides with South Africa’s presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20), where infrastructure development and connectivity are key focus areas.

SANRAL’s projects for the 2024/25 financial year amount to R18.526 billion, with 2,012 Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) appointed to provide services. These projects not only improve road infrastructure but also stimulate local economies, build technical capacity, and create thousands of jobs across the construction and maintenance value chain.

Mona emphasized that each investment is guided by the principle of shared prosperity:

“We are very big on job creation. It would be a travesty if taxpayers gave us this money and did not see any value in terms of job opportunities and community upliftment.”

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Aligning with G20 Priorities

As host of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025, South Africa is championing infrastructure development as a catalyst for global economic recovery and sustainability. The G20 Infrastructure Working Group (IWG), one of seven technical bodies under the G20 Finance Track, focuses on innovative mechanisms for financing infrastructure and improving global connectivity.

SANRAL’s projects, Mona noted, directly align with these goals — promoting sustainable transport systems, cross-border trade, and green infrastructure that supports both economic competitiveness and environmental responsibility.

“Our road investments are not just about mobility; they are about regional economic integration, innovation, and resilience,” he said.

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Charting the Future: Major Projects and Regional Links

SANRAL is currently implementing some of the largest infrastructure undertakings in South Africa’s history, positioning the country as a logistics hub for the continent.

1. N1 Beit Bridge Toll Project (Limpopo)

A new toll route is being constructed on the N1 near the Beit Bridge International Border Post, Africa’s busiest inland port of entry. Approximately 1.1 km of the route lies within South Africa.

“In the past, all tolls collected at Beit Bridge went to Zimbabwe. Going forward, we will collect tolls from inward-bound traffic so that the revenue can be used to improve and maintain our infrastructure,” Mona said. The long-term goal is to build a second border post to ease congestion and enhance trade efficiency along this key corridor connecting South Africa to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, and the DRC.

2. N4 Corridor Rehabilitation (Pretoria to Maputo)

Work is ongoing on the N4 highway, one of Southern Africa’s most strategic trade routes linking Pretoria and Maputo. Through the Trans African Concessions (TRAC) partnership, SANRAL oversees upgrades such as road widening, bridge construction, and pavement strengthening.

“We have also assisted Mozambique in managing their road network from Lebombo through to the harbour. This ensures trade and freight moving through the port flow smoothly,” said Mona.

3. N2 Wild Coast Project (R28 Billion)

Perhaps the most ambitious of SANRAL’s projects, the N2 Wild Coast project connects four provinces — Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga — and includes two mega-bridges:

• The Msikaba Bridge, spanning the Msikaba Gorge near Lusikisiki, and

• The Mtentu Bridge, near Lundini, set to be among the tallest in Africa. The N2 serves as a strategic national route linking Cape Town, Gqeberha, Durban, East London, and Mpumalanga, extending trade access to Mozambique via the N4 corridor.

4. R573 Moloto Road Upgrade (R11.5 Billion)

Once infamously known as the “road of death,” the R573 Moloto Road — traversing Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo — is undergoing a comprehensive safety and capacity upgrade.

“It used to belong to three provinces. We’ve taken it over, upgraded it, and transformed it into a safe and reliable road network for communities,” Mona said. Nearly 400 local labourers have already been employed during construction phases, contributing to skills development and poverty alleviation.

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Regional Trade, Sustainability, and Job Creation

SANRAL’s infrastructure investments also support South Africa’s climate resilience and sustainability goals. The agency is incorporating green construction practices, improved drainage systems, and energy-efficient lighting to reduce carbon footprints.

Moreover, cross-border projects, such as those connecting SADC trade routes, enhance the continent’s ability to participate in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) — helping countries unlock intra-African trade potential.

“The road network we build and maintain connects us to neighbouring countries so that we can facilitate movement of people, trade, and goods,” Mona explained.

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Paving the Way for a Connected Future

As South Africa prepares to host world leaders at the G20 Summit in November 2025, its world-class road infrastructure stands as a tangible example of progress — built on vision, investment, and inclusion.

Through projects worth billions of rands, SANRAL continues to bridge divides, create jobs, and strengthen economic arteries that keep the nation and the region moving.

“We are connecting South Africa to the continent and the world,” Mona concluded. “Our mission is to build safe, efficient, and inclusive roads that will carry our economy — and our people — into a better future.”