CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a grant to the City of Cape Town to fund a feasibility study that will assess the viability of proposed investments in five key information and communications technology (ICT) areas: enabling infrastructure; intelligent transportation systems; safety and security; digital inclusion; and digital literacy.

These investments will increase internet access as well as improve the efficiency of business processes. The study will recommend methods for using ICT to further enhance the City of Cape Town’s economically-enabling environment, leading to increased productivity and greater digital inclusion. Follow-on projects are expected to support ICT investments totaling over $100 million, creating substantial new export opportunities for U.S. companies.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with the City of Cape Town,” said Lida Fitts, Regional Director for sub-Saharan Africa at USTDA.  “This grant will also promote safety and security, and streamline public transportation and other municipal services.”

Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Raelene Arendse, stated, “the Organisational Development and Transformation Plan (ODTP) prioritizes the use of digital technology to transform the City and make Cape Town the most digitally connected city in Africa.” “USTDA’s support will go a long way in helping us to achieve the principles of the ODTP and leverage technology to transform the lives of our residents.”

The Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General in Cape Town, Virginia Blaser, praised the partnership, noting “This partnership is one of many in which the U.S. government is working with the City of Cape Town and other municipalities to promote increased security, trade and investment opportunities, and access to education and technology, which we believe will lead to greater prosperity and security for both of our nations.”

California-based Global Resources, a consulting firm that works exclusively with developing and emerging nations in the ICT, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and utilities fields, will conduct the study.  As a parallel effort with Cape Town and other South African municipalities, USTDA will be hosting a South Africa Smart Cities Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) in March 2018. The RTM will highlight U.S. smart city initiatives and technologies that can support the implementation of related projects in South Africa.

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