The Eastern Cape has emerged as the frontrunner in South Africa’s latest wave of infrastructure investment, with more projects and greater financial backing than any other province, according to Infrastructure South Africa (ISA).

ISA officially confirmed that the province will receive full project preparation support for seven catalytic initiatives, unlocking significant development across critical sectors including transport, energy, agriculture, education, water, and human settlements.

Among the standout developments is the Small Harbours Revitalisation Programme, which aims to breathe new life into underused coastal regions. This initiative focuses on empowering local communities by building or upgrading infrastructure to support fishing cooperatives, marine tourism, aquaculture, and small-scale logistics.

Coastal Towns in the Spotlight

The programme includes:

• Tier 2 Harbours in Mbizana and Hamburg, which will bolster inclusive coastal development and provide opportunities in tourism and fisheries.
• A Tier 1 Harbour in Port St John’s, strategically positioned to unlock maritime logistics and tourism potential on the Wild Coast.

These projects are set to transform the economic trajectory of rural coastal towns, turning them into sustainable hubs of opportunity, – said an ISA spokesperson.

Full List of Supported Projects:

1. Marine Tilapia Incubation Industry (Agriculture) – To boost fish farming and create jobs in rural areas.
2. Mbizana & Hamburg Tier 2 Harbours (Transport) – Coastal regeneration with a focus on tourism and fisheries.
3. Port St John’s Tier 1 Harbour (Maritime Development) – Major tourism and logistics infrastructure for the Wild Coast.
4. Eastern Cape Schools Programme (Education) – Modernising school infrastructure for improved learning.
5. N2 Nodal Development Advisory (Human Settlements) – Mixed-use housing and development precincts along the N2.
6. Irrigation Schemes Programme (Agriculture) – Expanding water access for farming communities.
7. Ngqura LNG Terminal (Energy & Transport) – A liquefied natural gas import terminal for national energy needs.
8. Amatola Water Augmentation (Water) – Increasing bulk water capacity for regional development.
9. CDC 100MW Solar PV Plant (Renewable Energy) – A large solar energy project within the Coega Special Economic Zone.

A Boost for Eastern Cape’s Future

This announcement signals a powerful shift in the Eastern Cape’s development potential, positioning the province as a driver of national infrastructure growth. With planning support secured, these projects will now move into technical and financial preparation phases before implementation.

Community leaders and local governments have hailed the announcement as a major win, especially for historically underdeveloped areas like Mbizana and Port St John’s.

“This is not just investment in infrastructure,” said a provincial spokesperson. “It’s an investment in people, livelihoods, and the long-term economic health of our communities.”

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