Deputy Minister Mhlauli Calls for Impact-Focused Funding at 2026 Outcomes Finance Summit
Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, opened the 2026 Outcomes Finance Alliance Summit in Cape Town on March 25, 2026. She called for a shift in development funding to focus on measurable impact rather than just spending. This affects global leaders, governments, private sector groups, philanthropies, civil society, and vulnerable groups like unemployed youth and underserved communities, according to SAnews.gov.za.
The summit comes amid rising youth unemployment, ongoing poverty, strained health and education systems, and climate change effects. It pushes outcomes-based financing to drive real social and economic progress.
Mhlauli urged a change in how development is funded. She said leaders should prioritize measurable impact over expenditure. The summit is hosted with the South African Medical Research Council and other partners.
In her speech, Mhlauli asked: “At its core, this Summit speaks to one of the most urgent questions of our time: how do we ensure that every rand, every dollar, and every investment delivers meaningful, measurable change in people’s lives?” She noted that outcomes-based financing shifts focus from inputs and activities to results. SAnews.gov.za reported her statements.
The world faces big challenges like youth unemployment, poverty, weak health and education systems, and climate change. Outcomes-based financing changes the approach from spending on activities to paying for real results.
South Africa has made progress with this model. The Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund is one of the largest worldwide for jobs. It uses R300 million to pay for verified employment, not just efforts.
Key stats from the fund include:
- Over 9,100 verified enrolments.
- More than 6,800 job placements.
- Over R220 million disbursed based on independent checks.
The fund targets young people not in employment, education, or training, or NEET youth. It focuses on women and underserved areas. Partners like BlueLever, Swift, and Afrika Tikkun provide training and job help. Mhlauli also noted early childhood development programs for better school readiness in poor communities. Data comes from Mhlauli’s speech via SAnews.gov.za.
Outcomes-based financing answers calls for accountability and transparency from citizens. Governments must do more with less. It leads to real changes like jobs, dignity, and hope for youth.
Mhlauli said: “This is not a pilot in theory. It is a demonstration, at scale, that outcomes-based financing can deliver real, measurable employment results.” She added it unlocks human potential. Success needs partnerships across government, investors, philanthropies, and providers. This builds trust, shares risk, and breaks silos. South Africa aims to lead in these models for better services and growth. These points are verified progress, while scaling needs more action, per SAnews.gov.za.
The summit runs from March 25, 2026. It gathers global stakeholders on health, education, climate, and jobs. Mhlauli called for action over talk: scale pathways, build capacity in governments and groups, and reach those in need most.
She pushed for sharing lessons, strong partnerships, and firm commitments to grow outcomes financing worldwide. Stay tuned for summit updates.
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