Municipalities Analysed Annually
Years Experience
Successful Projects
The Challenge:
South Africa’s municipal sector is under financial strain
Why Governance and Municipal Evaluations Matter
Municipalities have liquidity shortfalls that hinder timely payments, while essential service delivery and infrastructure investment come under pressure.
Without targeted intervention, the risk to infrastructure collapse compounds. Strengthening the financial sustainability of municipalities is essential to safeguard core services, rebuild credibility, and enable local economic growth. Ultimately, when municipalities fail, it is households, communities, and small businesses that bear the brunt of the cost.
The Impact:
Stabilise municipal finances to unlock local growth
Stabilise liquidity through improved collections and disciplined working capital.
Reprioritise infrastructure budgets to maintain and upgrade essential services.
Embed stronger budgeting and debt governance to withstand financial shocks.
Enable reliable services so small businesses operate, expand, and hire.
Build local prosperity that scales into national economic resilience.
Successful Projects
Years Experience
Municipalities Analysed Annually
Our Services
Independent governance scorings and MFSI® services that stabilise finances and improve service delivery.
01
Municipal Financial Sustainability Index (MFSI®)
Data-driven evaluations using Rating Afrika’s MFSI® scoring model to benchmark financial health, identify strengths and weaknesses, and prioritise actions that protect service delivery.
02
Governance Ratings, Scorings and Assessments
Independent assessments, structured governance reviews and opinions, providing a clear score and a report on the soundness of governance to diagnose gaps and prioritise action.
03
Advisory, Guidance and Support
Practical, confidential guidance that translates insights into budget priorities, governance improvements and implementation steps to strengthen resilience and enable sustainable growth.
Client Success Stories
Municipal leaders share how Ratings Afrika’s independent insights translated into stronger finances and better services.
Midvaal Local Municipality
“Being one of the top scoring municipalities in the country has enabled Midvaal Local Municipality to attract new businesses to our area that has supported local economic growth. Ratings Afrika’s services will certainly help other municipalities to become financially more sustainable and improve service delivery.”
Phumudzo Magodi
MUNICIPAL MANAGER,
Midvaal Local Municipality
Saldanha Bay Municipality
“This service has enabled Saldanha Bay Municipality to annually monitor its performance against these criteria with the objective of constant improvement, especially in Affordability and Infrastructure development. We value Ratings Afrika’s services and the important role they play in measuring financial sustainability of municipalities.”
Stefan Vorster
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
Saldanha Bay Municipality
Swartland Municipality
“The strategic insights and guidance provided by Ratings Afrika have been instrumental in our efforts to manage resources efficiently and deliver on our mandate to serve the community effectively. Our financially sustainable position creates confidence amongst developers, and we are reaping the fruit with private investments.”
JJ Scholtz
MUNICIPAL MANAGER,
Swartland Municipality
Hessequa Municipality
“Ratings Afrika’s services have proven excellent in determining whether there is improvement or regression in the financial position of a municipality. With the assistance of Ratings Afrika municipalities have been able to improve their financial sustainability and with the relevant tools, strengthened their financial capacity which has enabled better service delivery.”
ASA de Klerk
MUNICIPAL MANAGER,
Hessequa Municipality
How We Work
Ratings Afrika’s municipal analysis is independent and apolitical. Our municipal assessments are evidence-led. We derive MFSI® scores and our opinions from audited municipal financial statements and other credible public statistics. We provide a synopsis of the financial statements.
GET STARTED
Strengthen your municipality’s financial sustainability and governance today. Partner with Ratings Afrika for proven, independent results.
Contact us to learn how our expertise can help stabilise finances, improve services and unlock local growth.
100%
Client Satisfaction
40+
Municipalities Served
MFSI®
Sole Supplier in RSA
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Frequently asked questions.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about Ratings Afrika and our services.
What is the Municipal Financial Sustainability Index (MFSI®)?
The Municipal Financial Sustainability Index (MFSI®) is Ratings Afrika’s proprietary scoring model that benchmarks municipal financial sustainability on a 0–100 scale, using six core components and five years of historical data.
Are Ratings Afrika’s evaluations independent?
Yes. All ratings and assessments are conducted independently and apolitically, using published financial statements and structured analysis. Ratings Afrika does not issue opinions without access to the necessary information.
Who can request governance ratings, assessments and opinions?
Municipalities, provinces, national departments, state-owned enterprises, investors and companies can request opinions, scorings, or governance assessments from Ratings Afrika.
How many municipalities has Ratings Afrika worked with?
Since 2011, Ratings Afrika has completed 130+ projects successfully and partnered with more than 40 municipalities, most of them in the Western Cape, helping them stabilise finances and improve service delivery.
What impact can Ratings Afrika’s services have?
Our services have helped municipalities strengthen liquidity, pay creditors like Eskom, improve infrastructure, and create the conditions for local economic growth. Municipalities can take ownership of their future, they just need some guidance.
How do I get started with your consulting services?
Simply contact us through our website’s contact form. We’ll schedule an initial consultation to discuss your needs and how we can help.