-
View from the Carlton Centre – Johannesburg’s inner city at night
The City of Johannesburg has tabled an R89.4 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year, with a focus on restoring the status to a world class African city.
This year’s budget, which took place under the theme “A Financially Sustainable Joburg,” plans to improve service delivery and drive sustainable development across the city.
WATCH: MMC for Finance, Cllr Margaret Arnolds, shares why she prioritised highlighting Johannesburg’s youth in her 2025 City of Joburg Budget Speech.#JoburgBudget2025#JoburgReimagined ^GZ pic.twitter.com/eLlCjphlgC
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) May 28, 2025
Speaking in Braamfontein, the city’s Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds says the budget is fully funded, pro-poor and pro-growth.
” The City of Johannesburg presents an operating revenue of R84.8 billion, operating expenditure of R80.7 billion, projected surplus R4.1 billion. Before taxation and capital grants, capital budget R8.7 billion, R26.2 billion over the medium term. We are tabling a total budget of R89.4 billion for the 2025/26 financial year.”
Arnolds says the 2025/26 budget is centered around the indigent and working class through the continuation of the Expanded Social Package (ESP).
Arnolds adds that the budget marks the rebirth of the city.
“In this budget, all residents will continue to receive the first six kilolitres of water for free. That’s why we’re working on infrastructure. ESP qualifies residents to receive up to 15 kilolitres of free water, 50 kilowatts hour of free electricity, free sanitation and refuse removal because in Johannesburg we believe that basic services are a human right, not a privilege.”
