Nangamso Matebese-Maponya

Principal Investment Banking and Project Finance Professional at the DBSA (Development Bank of Southern Africa)

DBSA plays a key role in supporting South African cities to develop Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems. It ensures financing for informal taxi operators who don’t have access to conventional banks, to purchase the buses and convert into financeable BRT operating companies under a contract with municipalities. It does this through 35 to 50 million US dollars loans, the risk being mitigated by the guaranteed cash flows from the BRT service. In addition to providing funding, DBSA also assists these new bus operators and the municipalities in negotiating their operating contracts. It thus plays a key role in formalizing the informal sector and structuring the city transport system.