Development Bank of Southern Africa

Overview

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is a government-owned development finance institution established to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) by driving financial and non-financial investments in social and economic infrastructure sectors. The bank's primary focus areas include energy, transport, water and sanitation, and information and communication technology (ICT). It also addresses health, education, and housing as secondary sectors. DBSA operates across various stages of infrastructure development, including project preparation, funding, implementation, and delivery. DBSA's investment strategy emphasizes supporting large-scale infrastructure projects within both the public and private sectors. The bank aims to improve the quality of life for individuals and facilitate regional integration through investments in critical infrastructure. It collaborates with national and international partners to mobilize funding and expertise for infrastructure development projects. DBSA's approach includes providing planning, financing, and implementation support to municipalities and other entities involved in infrastructure development. The bank's track record includes participation in initiatives such as the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Priority Action Plan. DBSA also manages funds like the Infrastructure Investment Programme for South Africa (IIPSA) on behalf of the European Union. These initiatives reflect DBSA's commitment to promoting regional integration and sustainable development through infrastructure investment. DBSA's development position outlines its commitment to a just transition toward a renewed and inclusive economy and society that embodies resilience, regeneration, and transcends current trajectories. The bank focuses on driving sustainability through innovative solutions and remains financially sustainable while accelerating development outcomes. DBSA's development position is critical to its long-term trajectory and defines the boundaries of its direction on development and development impact. DBSA's mission is to advance the development impact on the African continent by expanding access to development finance and effectively integrating and implementing sustainable development solutions. The bank's purpose is to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development and improve the quality of life of the people of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and, more recently, the whole of the African continent, by driving financial and non-financial investments in the social and economic infrastructure sectors. DBSA's vision is a prosperous and integrated resource-efficient region, progressively free of poverty and dependency. DBSA's strategic objectives include sustained growth in developmental impact, being the partner of choice for infrastructure development solutions, maintaining financial sustainability, and instigating the formation of a new generation of special purpose vehicles and structured financial instruments that will facilitate and catalyse the mobilisation of investments in infrastructure development projects. The bank's values include shared vision, service orientation, integrity, high performance, and innovation. DBSA's leadership includes CEO Patrick Dlamini and Chairperson Prof. Mark Swilling. The bank operates under the oversight of the National Treasury of the Government of South Africa.

Investment Focus

• Projects must align with DBSA's focus areas and strategic objectives.
• Applicants should demonstrate the potential for socio-economic development impact.
• Projects should be sustainable and contribute to regional integration.