A study by Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the National Planning Commission (NPC) have revealed the scale of investment needed to connect every South African home to high-speed broadband by 2035.
new completed South Africa's digital connectivity investment roadmap to 2035 Provides a comprehensive assessment of the country's progress towards universal broadband access. It identifies key investment gaps, priority actions and partnership opportunities needed to expand reliable high-speed infrastructure and accelerate the transition towards an inclusive digital economy.
This research translates national digital policy ambitions into a rigorous, cost- and fiscally-aligned investment roadmap for Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI). This directly supports the National Development Plan (Vision 2030), SA Connect, National Infrastructure Plan 2050 (NIP2050). sustainable development goals (SDG).
NPC Commissioner Mark Swilling says, “This Roadmap provides the current, comprehensive, cost-effective approach the country needs to bridge the digital divide and achieve universal access to digital connectivity by 2035. It outlines a common, evidence-informed basis for coordinated planning across the public and private sector, to drive investment and delivery of the Roadmap.”
Methodologically, the study applied the World Bank's Beyond the Gap (BTG) framework with International Telecommunication UnionUniversal and meaningful connectivity (UMC) standard. Through scenario modeling and GIS-based spatial mapping, it identifies geographic access gaps, quantifies capital and operating expenditure requirements across different economic and policy scenarios.
The study takes a broader ecosystem approach, assessing international connectivity, backbone and metro networks, data centres, spectrum systems and last-mile access infrastructure, along with affordability, digital skills and institutional capacity as key enablers of meaningful connectivity.
Furthermore, achieving universal high-speed access (100 Mbps) will require targeted upgrades, technology diversification and greater rural investment, with affordability remaining the primary, income-driven barrier.
“South Africa’s Digital Connectivity Investment Roadmap to 2035 goes beyond policy to provide a clear implementation framework spanning spectrum improvement, municipal capacity, digital skills, universal service and demand-side support,” says DBSA Chief Executive Officer Boitumelo Mosako. By clarifying institutional roles and strengthening intergovernmental coordination, the study establishes a practical platform for execution.
To support implementation, the study outlines three structured investment pathways for the period 2025 – 2035:
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a mobile-centric, low-cost model suited to limited economic conditions;
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A hybrid mobile and fiber route balancing efficiency and performance; And
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A fibre-dominant, high-capacity trajectory aligned with economic recovery and increased competitiveness.
These pathways articulate the trade-offs between fiscal effort, service ambition, technology mix and long-term economic returns. The study commends public financing, public-private partnerships, evaluation of blended finance mechanisms along with institutional reforms to reduce deployment barriers and congestion in private capital.
Overall, the study provides an evidence-based, fiscally based roadmap for the country to achieve universal and meaningful connectivity, which now requires coordinated action to unlock its full potential for inclusive growth, improved services and long-term resilience.