France is moving closer to lending South Africa R1.9 billion to help struggling metros improve basic services, in a fresh funding boost for cities hit by worsening infrastructure failures. According to Bloomberg, as published by BusinessTech, the proposed loan would support efforts to improve water, sanitation, electricity and solid-waste management in major urban areas.

France Backs Metro Recovery Drive

France’s ambassador to South Africa, David Martinon, said on Tuesday that the country is “on the verge” of providing another €100 million, which is about R1.9 billion, to South African metros. He said the funding is intended to help cities renovate and reshape how they handle service delivery, particularly in water management, waste management and the energy transition.

The proposed financing would add to the $925 million already lent to South Africa by the World Bank for the National Treasury’s Metro Trading Services programme. That programme is aimed at fixing core municipal systems that millions of residents rely on every day.

Cities Under Growing Pressure

South Africa’s big metros carry enormous pressure. Bloomberg reported that the programme focuses on cities where 22 million people live, which is more than a third of the country’s population, spread across almost 30,000 square kilometres. These are the same urban centres where residents and businesses have faced repeated power cuts, water disruptions and declining municipal services in recent years.

Johannesburg and Durban were singled out as examples of major metros where service delivery has deteriorated. For many South Africans, that decline has become part of daily life, with unreliable utilities disrupting homes, traffic, schools and local economies.

Treasury Sought More Global Support

The latest development also shows that National Treasury has been pushing for outside funding for some time. In April last year, Treasury said it would approach global development finance institutions, including France’s state-owned Agence Française de Développement, to strengthen the World Bank-backed programme.

If the deal is finalised, it could give metros another crucial source of support as South Africa battles to stabilise crumbling urban infrastructure. The real test, though, will be whether that money turns into faster repairs, stronger systems and more reliable services for residents.