South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL)

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) is the state-owned company responsible for South Africa’s national road network. SANRAL plans, designs, builds, maintains and rehabilitates national highways and major routes, and manages toll roads, according to a provider record checked in August 2026. SANRAL reports to the Minister of Transport.

Registered name

South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL)

Type

State-owned company (national roads)

Fields funded

Civil engineering and other road infrastructure fields

Website

nra.co.za

The roads that carry the economy

National roads such as the N1, N2 and N3 carry much of South Africa’s freight and long-distance travel, linking ports, mines, farms and cities. Because so much cargo moves by truck rather than rail, the condition of national roads directly affects the cost of goods, road safety and economic growth. SANRAL’s work ranges from resurfacing and bridge maintenance to building new interchanges and upgrading rural routes.

Toll roads and e-tolls

SANRAL funds some roads through tolls, either directly or through private concessionaires. Its most controversial project was the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, whose electronic tolls met widespread public resistance and low payment rates for years. The government eventually agreed to end the e-toll system, which was switched off in 2024, with national and provincial government sharing the project’s debt. The story shows how engineering, finance and public policy meet in road building.

Why SANRAL funds students

SANRAL offers bursaries for students pursuing civil engineering qualifications relevant to road infrastructure, according to the provider record. Building and maintaining roads needs civil engineers who understand pavement design, geotechnics, bridges, drainage and traffic, as well as project managers and quantity surveyors to control budgets on large contracts.

BursariesAfrica’s older SANRAL guide lists wider fields, such as mechanical, electrical and traffic engineering, surveying, quantity surveying, town planning and IT, with tuition, textbooks and a living allowance. That guide has not been refreshed with verified 2027 dates or requirements, so treat it as background only.

What we could not verify

SANRAL’s website did not respond when BursariesAfrica checked on 15 September 2026, so this profile does not list a current closing date.

How to research SANRAL

Visit SANRAL’s website in a browser and check its careers and bursary sections, and ask your university’s civil engineering department whether SANRAL recruits bursars or offers vacation work on road projects. Follow news of SANRAL projects in your province, such as major highway upgrades, and mention one in your motivation. Be cautious of social media adverts that ask for payment.

See our civil engineering bursaries list.