UNDP partners with people at all levels of government and society to help build nations that can withstand crises and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspectives and local insight to empower lives and help build resilient nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

UNDP South Africa is working with the Government and people of South Africa, Private Sector, UN Agencies, Academia, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other relevant stakeholders to address the triple development challenges of poverty, income inequality and unemployment. We achieve this through promoting better governance, inclusive and people-centred growth, energy access, climate resilience and sustainable development.

Since gaining independence in 1994 following the first democratic elections, South Africa has developed and implemented several development and planning programmes to transform the State and strengthen governance processes and structures. Understanding the need for a new paradigm that would direct development gains towards the many, rather than the few, and recognizing the appetite in South Africa to learn from and emulate development successes across the world, UNDP began its operations in the country in 1994. As South Africa unshackled itself from the apartheid and took its place as a forward-looking, just, modern nation, UNDP was among the many international institutions that embraced the new chapter in the country's story. Since these then, the Government of South Africa and UNDP have grown from strength to strength and crossed significant milestones. UNDP has moved in step with the country as a partner that shares and internalizes its development vision and priorities.