DPWI
Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure Dean McPherson and provincial MECs have adopted the 2025 National Construction Summit Declaration, a unified commitment to accelerate delivery, strengthen accountability and revitalize South Africa’s construction industry.
Macpherson said the declaration includes key reforms, including blacklisting non-performing contractors, introducing a digital project tracking system, speeding up approvals, expanding the BUILD program and strengthening sustainability, innovation and community partnerships.
He said this would be part of a major turning point for the sector, building on the 130,000 jobs created in the third quarter, helping to restore confidence, unlock investment and accelerate South Africa’s construction-led economic recovery.
The declaration follows two days of engagement with more than 2,000 industry participants at the Nation Building Summit in Boksburg, where governments, businesses, workers and experts agreed on the urgent reforms needed to accelerate delivery.
“The declaration sets out a comprehensive set of reforms aimed at improving the entire construction value chain, from project preparation and planning to procurement, professionalization, sustainability and site safety,” according to a statement from DPWI.
It will also introduce new accountability measures for contractors and infrastructure customers, expand skills development and support for contractors, and accelerate digitalization and innovation across the sector.
“We are also seeking greater community engagement to reduce site disruptions and clearer and faster regulatory approvals to unlock the construction pipeline,” the DPWI said.
“This Declaration is not just a document, it is a commitment to action. It provides us with a clear and unified roadmap to accelerate project implementation and restore the integrity of the construction value chain.
“This will help restore confidence in the industry and support further investment and, most importantly, job growth as we work to transform South Africa into a construction site,” Mr McPherson said.
Minister McPherson said the declaration also reaffirms the government’s commitment to deeper partnerships with the private sector, industry professionals and workers as South Africa works to strengthen its infrastructure pipeline and attract investment in high-value projects.
“We are entering a new era of service delivery, where the public and private sectors work together to build the infrastructure that will drive South Africa’s economic recovery.
“The best way to accelerate construction is through speed, accountability and collaboration and that is exactly what this declaration stands for.Together we are building a better South Africa.”
