14 February 2025 - Public Development Banks (PDBs) play a pivotal role in fostering just, inclusive, and sustainable growth in emerging markets. With their mandate to prioritise development impact over profit, PDBs are uniquely positioned to address socio-economic challenges, particularly through strategic investments in social infrastructure. These investments act as catalysts for transformation, alleviating poverty, creating opportunities, and ensuring no one is left behind.
Among the leaders in this transformative space is the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). Through its people-centred programmes, the DBSA has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to building a resilient and equitable future in South Africa and across the continent. Its hosting of the Finance in Common Summit 2025 (FiCS 2025), alongside co-hosts - Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) - solidifies its standing as a global leader in development finance.
DBSA CEO Boitumelo Mosako encapsulates the Bank’s focus: “Our primary mission is to provide impactful development finance solutions that drive transformative change within South Africa and across the broader African continent. Improving the quality of life for individuals in Africa remains at the heart of our efforts. Through our initiatives, we aim to create an environment that fosters growth, resilience, and equitable opportunities for all.”
This approach is brought to life through DBSA’s transformative work in underserved communities, focusing on critical areas such as education, healthcare, and housing. As a champion of development, the DBSA has directly impacted millions of lives by addressing urgent socio-economic needs and catalysing long-term societal progress.
Over its 40 years of service, the DBSA has prioritised social infrastructure as a cornerstone of its strategy. The results are both measurable and inspiring. The Bank has built 129 schools under the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI), refurbished 726 schools, and upgraded sanitation facilities in 177 schools. These efforts have created safe, quality learning environments for thousands of children, opening doors to brighter futures. The completion of 404 health facilities has extended access to essential medical care for vulnerable populations, especially in rural areas.
The Bank facilitated the creation of over 40,000 jobs in 2023/2024, a massive improvement on the 300 jobs supported in 1994. It has also disbursed R3.5 billion in funding to small black-owned businesses, compared with just R10.5 million in 1994, driving entrepreneurship and reducing inequality. Additionally, the DBSA has embedded gender equality and women’s empowerment into its agenda, ensuring that the benefits of development are equitably distributed.
DBSA’s efforts are deeply aligned with South Africa’s Vision 2030 “National Development Plan (NDP)”, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. This alignment ensures that the Bank’s initiatives contribute to both local and global sustainability objectives.
The upcoming FiCS 2025 in Cape Town is a powerful platform to spotlight the collective impact of PDBs in driving sustainable development. By fostering strategic partnerships with governments, private investors, and international organisations, the DBSA amplifies its ability to scale transformative solutions.
The journey toward sustainable and inclusive growth demands unwavering commitment and bold action. As the DBSA continues to lead, alongside AIIB and AFD, it is evident that investing in social infrastructure is not just a strategy but a necessity for building a future where development leaves no one behind. The time to act is now. Together, we can create a resilient, equitable, and sustainable tomorrow for generations to come.
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About the Development Bank of Southern Africa
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is a leading Development Finance Institution (DFI), wholly owned by the government of South Africa. Established in 1983, the DBSA is mandated to promote economic growth and regional integration by mobilising financial and other resources from national and international private and public sectors for sustainable development projects and programmes in South Africa, SADC, and the wider African continent. www.dbsa.org