Gauteng aims for R300b investment pledges at landmark conference
The Gauteng Investment Conference aimed for R300b in pledges to boost economic growth and job creation.
Gauteng took centre stage in South Africa’s investment landscape as it hosted the highly anticipated Gauteng Investment Conference, an ambitious initiative to attract R300b in investment pledges this year.
Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile, in a media briefing on April 2, underscored the conference’s importance in driving economic growth and securing R800b in pledges over the next three to five years.
“As investment in these sectors offers the most reliable instrument for ensuring sustainable development, the conference focuses on key industries such as public-private infrastructure investment, advanced manufacturing, green and renewable energy, ICT and data infrastructure, transport and logistics, smart property development and urban regeneration, as well as tourism and the creative economy,” Maile said.
Boasting an impressive attendance of more than 900 delegates – 500 in person and 400 online – the conference drew policymakers, investors, business leaders, and industry experts to shape Gauteng’s economic future. It builds on the R25.6b secured in 2024 across priority sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, ICT, tourism, and green energy.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered a keynote address, outlining the ‘Unlocking Gauteng’s Economic Potential – A National Priority’ economic plan. Before this, a high-level panel discussion saw private-sector leaders, state-owned enterprise executives, and policymakers debating ‘Driving Gauteng’s Competitiveness through Infrastructure’.
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Throughout the day, parallel sessions delved into critical topics such as infrastructure investment and public-private partnerships, revitalising the advanced manufacturing sector, enhancing logistics and transport infrastructure, and expanding Gauteng’s tourism and creative economy.
Maile also revealed that at least 58 companies had made pledges even before the conference began. “We have formed partnerships with companies from across the globe and will be announcing confirmed private-sector investment pledges for infrastructure projects that are shovel-ready and geared for high-impact outcomes, contributing to job creation, township development, and youth skills development,” he stated.
The Gauteng Finance and Economic Development Department, in collaboration with the Gordon Institute of Business Science, will develop a comprehensive report on the conference, ensuring that commitments made translate into tangible economic transformation.
“We hope that next year, at the next conference, we will not only sign pledges but also sign deals,” Maile concluded, affirming Gauteng’s position as a critical economic hub in South Africa and the broader African continent.
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