Invest International, on behalf of the Dutch government, intends to provide a DRIVE grant of €45 million for the core medical equipment and oncology-specific health technology as part of the redevelopment of Tygerberg Central Hospital. Tygerberg Central Hospital is one of South Africa’s largest public hospitals and a leading centre for specialised and academic healthcare. The project will strengthen access to high-quality healthcare for the 8.3 million residents of the Western Cape and support medical education and specialised care for the next generations.
On 16 September 2026, the Infrastructure Finance and Implementation Support Agency (IFISA), the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands signed a Letter of Intent in Cape Town, confirming their shared intention to cooperate on financing health technology for the project. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is the competent authority and will be responsible for implementing the project, including the required procurement and implementation activities.
Second largest hospital in South Africa
The Tygerberg Central Hospital serves more than 107,000 admitted patients and nearly 500,000 outpatients annually. It is also a leading referral and academic teaching hospital, providing highly specialized and complex care.
The DRIVE grant will finance advanced medical equipment and oncology-specific health technologies. These investments will improve diagnostics, expand treatment capabilities and enhance patient care, helping healthcare professionals deliver better outcomes for millions of people across the region.
Ditri Zandstra, Director Public Sector at Invest International: “The investment reflects the strong partnership between the Netherlands and South Africa and demonstrates how international collaboration can strengthen healthcare systems while delivering lasting social impact.”
“The investment reflects the strong partnership between the Netherlands and South Africa and demonstrates how international collaboration can strengthen healthcare systems while delivering lasting social impact.”
Redevelopment hospital
The grant is part of a total Public Private Partnership project called Tygerberg Central Hospital Redevelopment Project. The project is led by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness and supported by the National Treasury through IFISA. The redevelopment will replace the current Tygerberg Central Hospital with modern healthcare facilities equipped with 21st century technology. The new 893-bed hospital is expected to become one of the most significant healthcare projects in South Africa. Construction is scheduled to begin following financial close in 2029, with commissioning targeted for the 2034 financial year.
Partnership with South Africa
Invest International also supports a range of other projects in South Africa that contribute to, among others, economic development and improved living standards. These include investments in the SA-H2 Fund, which supports South Africa’s emerging green hydrogen sector (€50 million), a waste-to-energy project (€27.5 million), the MyCiTi Bus Rapid Transit infrastructure project in Cape Town (€18.5 million), and the Elundini water project (€5 million). Together, these investments strengthen local infrastructure in both healthcare, water, sustainable transport and clean energy.
Following the signing of the Tygerberg Central Hospital Project Invest International’s portfolio in South Africa is expected to be €146 million by 2026.
