Mineral Economics and Strategy Unit (MESU), Council of Mineral Processing and Metallurgy (Mintek), Randburg, South Africa
Lydall, M., Mineral Economics and Strategy Unit (MESU), Council of Mineral Processing and Metallurgy (Mintek), Randburg, South Africa
Transnet and Eskom have embarked on a R160.8 billion capital expenditure (capex) programme to improve South Africa's logistics and energy infrastructure over the next 5 years. Although considerable backward linkages will be created in the process of procuring goods and services needed in the construction and operation of the planned projects, a significant portion of investment will be lost because of having to import foreign skills and components that are unavailable locally. It has thus become a government priority to increase local content in the procurement process. Drawing on a series of interviews with leading suppliers involved in the capex programme, this article assesses the impact of such expenditure on the domestic capital goods sector and the constraints that militate against increased local participation. © 2009 Development Bank of Southern Africa.