University of Pretoria Introduces Chair in Municipal Finance to Drive African Development
The recent official launch of the Chair in Municipal Finance in Africa in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) at the University of Pretoria (UP) offered an opportunity for academics and public sector officials to interact. The Chair seeks to bring to life the UP Public Policy Hub (PPH)’s mission of empowering transformative policy solutions through collaborative research and evidence-based action in Africa.
In her welcoming address at the event, Prof Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu, Dean of the Faculty of EMS, explained that the introduction of the Chair was the result of a long and fruitful partnership between the Faculty’s African Tax Institute (ATI) and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (LILP), which are united in their dedication to enhancing property taxation in Africa. The LILP has provided funding towards the Chair.
She explained that due to its sustainability and predictability as a source of revenue, property tax stands out as a key instrument for generating local revenue that can be used to fund essential public services, and added: “As we confront the multifaceted challenges posed by rapid urbanisation [in Africa] and the problems plaguing our cities, such as infrastructure deficits, insufficient affordable housing, transportation challenges, poor governance and ineffective planning, as well as social inequality, the need for reliable revenue streams has become more pressing.”
Prof Nara Monkam, who has occupied the Chair in Municipal Finance in Africa since its establishment in March 2024 and is also the founding Head of the PPH, revealed that the Chair is set to contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—in particular SDG 11—which aim to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. She emphasised the importance of research and collaboration, teaching and learning, and community engagement as the three key areas that are imperative for ensuring that the Chair achieves the desired impact.
Prof Monkam further mentioned that she hoped that the Chair would enable UP and public-sector researchers to co-produce policy-relevant research. “We want to bridge the gap between academic research and practical policy implementation, ensuring that our work has a direct and positive impact on the public sector,” she stated. Referring to the anticipated collaborations that the Chair will facilitate, she emphasised that “we want to collaborate with scholars from other universities and institutions because we might not have all the expertise within UP”.
On the teaching and learning front, Prof Monkam indicated that the goal is to nurture the next generation of scholars and practitioners through teaching, mentoring and developing specialised programmes on municipal finance for people who will lead the transformation of municipal landscapes. “Local governments face complex challenges that should no longer be tackled through research in only one discipline. Our multidisciplinary approach will integrate diverse fields, such as technology, data science, urban planning, public administration, law and economics,” she explained. This approach will provide multiple perspectives and also lead to more comprehensive and sustainable solutions.
Outlining the expectations for the Chair on behalf of the LILP as a funder, Dr George W. McCarthy, President and CEO, stated that he hoped that “with the help of this new Chair, we’ll be able to work with municipalities all across the continent to build a fiscal base that will allow them to deliver a high quality of life and cities and villages that work for the people who live there”.
A panel discussion on collaborative approaches to impactful change in municipal finance in Africa featured representatives from National Treasury, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Municipal Demarcation Board and the City of Tshwane. The participants addressed the challenges facing local government and emphasised the crucial role of data analytics and research in informing and shaping public policy.
Prof Chitiga-Mabugu encouraged all those present to keep the spirit of co-creation alive and said that she was looking forward to their unwavering future commitment. “While the Chair carries a lot of promise for the future of municipal finance in Africa, the successful implementation of all its initiatives depends on all of you. Through cooperation between academia, the public sector and our valued partners we can craft policies that foster sustainable urban development, ensure financial stability and enhance the quality of life in our world. This collaborative effort will pave the way for more just, resilient and vibrant communities in Africa.”