The construction industry remains an important pillar of South Africa’s economy, contributing slightly over 2% to the national GDP. The sector employs approximately 1,359,074 people, making it the fifth-largest employer in the country. It offers work opportunities across broad skills spectrum, employing both skilled and semi-skilled individuals. It therefore has an important role in job creation and economic inclusion.

At the time of publication, the 2025/26 national budget projected that public-sector infrastructure expenditure would be allocated more than R1 trillion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The focus areas of this substantial investment include:

• Transport and Logistics
• Energy
• Water and Sanitation

These priority sectors were also highlighted in the inaugural edition of The Construction Book, launched during the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa (SIDSSA) of March 2024. In line with Infrastructure South Africa’s mandate to coordinate, manage, and monitor a comprehensive infrastructure pipeline, this second edition of the Construction Book continues to emphasise these strategic sectors. The second edition sees an expansion in sectors included, with Waste, Social Infrastructure and Public Assets now being included in the Book. Furthermore, this Edition also presents an overview of broader infrastructure development initiatives which are tracked by National Treasury.

Infrastructure South Africa provides this Construction Book as a transparent, national overview of funded construction pipeline projects that are expected to be issued for construction tender in the next 18 months. In doing so, this publication serves as a key resource to guide industry stakeholders in strategic planning, resourcing, and unlocking economic opportunities across the country.