South Africa's biggest companies, united under Business for South Africa (B4SA), are expanding their partnership with the government to tackle the nation's water crisis.
The businesses are already collaborating on energy, logistics, and crime reduction. B4SA now aims to prevent a potential water shortage in Gauteng Province, home to nearly 16 million people, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, media reported.
Gauteng faces a critical water shortage due to aging and poorly maintained infrastructure. Rand Water, Africa's largest bulk water supplier, has warned that consumption must be drastically reduced to avoid a crisis.
B4SA, backed by over 140 major companies, believes the private sector can play a key role in addressing the water crisis. The group reportedly plans to gather information on existing private sector initiatives and then propose a partnership with the government. This partnership, they believe, will require the right regulatory framework to encourage private investment in water infrastructure. A decision on the partnership's specifics will be made in the coming months, according to the media.