Professor Philippe Burger, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and Professor of Economics at the University of the Free State, says South Africa’s economic growth remains constrained by supply‑side challenges such as electricity shortages, water‑supply issues, and weak local‑government service delivery.

He emphasises that the country urgently needs structural reforms, deeper regional market integration, and energy diversification to unlock higher and more inclusive growth.

Professor Burger made these remarks during an interview with Channel Africa on Monday, on the sidelines of the two‑day Southern Africa, Towards Inclusive Economic Development (SA‑TIED) Phase II Close‑Out Conference underway in Pretoria.

Channel Africa’s Reporter, Micheal Mbewe, spoke with Professor Philippe Burger, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and Professor of Economics at the University of the Free State.