POLOKWANE – Limpopo is targeting more than R120 billion in new investment commitments at this year’s Limpopo Investment Conference (LIC), with government shifting its focus from securing pledges to turning them into projects and jobs.

Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba announced the target on Friday during the launch of the six-year-old conference, which will be held on October 15 at The Ranch Resort under the theme, “From Pledges to Prosperity: Accelerating Limpopo’s Industrial Future”.

R450b in commitments since 2021

Ramathuba said the R120 billion target was set by the Limpopo Economic Development Agency in its business plan, but expressed confidence that the province could exceed it.

She said Limpopo had attracted more than R450 billion in cumulative investment commitments over the past five years, since 2021. This included about R170 billion pledged at last year’s conference, which she said had already translated into more than 23 000 jobs.

“These investments represent a significant vote of confidence in Limpopo. They also, however, impose a responsibility upon us,” Ramathuba said.

She stressed that the success of this year’s conference would not be judged by the value of investment announced alone, but by whether commitments translate into tangible projects and employment.

“The success of this conference will not be measured only by the value of investment announced. It will be measured by the projects that advance, barriers that are removed and opportunities created for our people,” she said.

Ramathuba said government wanted to move beyond celebrating investment figures to seeing “construction sites, factories producing and young people employed”.

Three key focus areas

To drive Limpopo’s industrial development, she highlighted three key areas:

• Mineral beneficiation and green energy
• Agriculture
• Special economic zones and economic infrastructure

Mineral beneficiation

On mineral beneficiation, Ramathuba said the province’s mineral resources should not simply be exported as raw materials. More processing and manufacturing should take place locally to retain greater value and create jobs within Limpopo.

Agriculture

In agriculture, she said government wanted to modernise farming, improve infrastructure and expand agro-processing so that more of the food produced in Limpopo is also processed in the province.

Special economic zones

She identified special economic zones and supporting infrastructure as another priority, saying industrialisation depended on reliable roads, water and energy, as well as efficient support for investors.

Youth and digital skills

Ramathuba also identified Limpopo’s youth as one of the province’s greatest assets and said they must benefit from the investment drive.

She pointed to the province’s recent 4IR, ICT and Artificial Intelligence Summit, saying government was pushing for greater investment in digital skills, cybersecurity and innovation.

Focus of this year’s conference

The focus of this year’s LIC, she said, will therefore be on ensuring that investment commitments translate into tangible economic activity and opportunities for Limpopo’s people.