South Africa is supporting change in global development finance spend for measurable impactWith Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonseba Mhlauli Urge governments and investors to give priority Results-driven funding model.
speaking in 2026 Results Finance Alliance Summit In Cape Town, Mhlauli called for a fundamental rethink of how development is financed amid growing global challenges Youth unemployment, poverty, climate change and strained public services.
'From spending to impact': a new development paradigm
“At its core, the question is how does every rand and every dollar make a real difference to people's lives,” Mhlauli stressed. results-based financing The key is to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
In contrast to traditional models that focus on inputs and activities, results-based financing:
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pays for Verified ResultNo procedures
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increases Transparency and Accountability
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encourages efficient use of limited public resources
Jobs Boost Fund: A global success story
Mhlauli highlights South Africa's progress R300 million Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund As one of the world's largest employment-focused outcome financing initiatives.
key achievements:
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9,100+ verified enrollments
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6,800+ job placements
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R220 million disbursed Based on verified results
The goal of the program is Young people not in employment, education or training (NEET)with a strong focus on Women and disadvantaged communities.
“This is not theory – this is a large-scale demonstration that results-based financing works,” she said.
Restoring dignity through employment
implementing partners like Bluelover, Swift, and Africa Tikkun Providing training and job placement assistance, helping to transform lives.
“These are not abstract outcomes – they restore dignity, hope and opportunity,” Mhlauli said.
Impact extends beyond jobs
South Africa is also implementing the outcomes-based model in:
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early childhood development
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Improvement in School readiness and child well-being
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goal setting deprived communities
These initiatives aim to create long term human capital benefits.
Global collaboration key to enhancing impact
Mhlauli stressed that scaling up requires results-based financing Multi-Stakeholder Partnership: :
“This requires trust, shared risk and breaking down traditional silos,” he said.
Call to Action: Move Beyond Dialogue
Urging global leaders to take action, the Deputy Minister outlined key priorities:
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build one Pipeline of investable projects
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strengthen the institutional capacity
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Scale successful models across sectors
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ensure that benefits reach vulnerable population
“We must move from talk to action,” he stressed.
South Africa positions itself as global leader
By hosting the summit and demonstrating real-world results, South Africa is putting itself at the forefront innovative development financing.
Results Finance Alliance Summit (from March 25) Brings together global stakeholders to explore the expansion of such models:
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Health
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Education
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climate action
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employment generation
Towards accountable and inclusive development
The shift toward results-based financing reflects a broader global trend Evidence-driven policy making and impact accountability.
Mhlauli concluded with a clear message: “Financing must not just be mobilized – it must deliver real, measurable and sustainable results.”