Category: South Africa Government

President Cyril Ramaphosa has credited a deepening partnership between government and the private sector as a key driver of South Africa’s economic recovery and reform momentum.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference in Sandton on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa said collaboration across business, labour and government has become a defining feature of the country’s growth strategy.

“This contribution has not been peripheral, but instrumental,” he said, referring to the role of business in supporting reforms, investment and job creation.

The President reflected on how this partnership has evolved since 2019, when government extended “the hand of partnership” to the private sector, a move that has since translated into billions of rands in investment pledges and coordinated efforts to stabilise and grow the economy. 

He pointed to joint initiatives such as the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought together stakeholders to support economic recovery and protect jobs.

Business has also played a central role in employment creation, with more than 200,000 work opportunities generated for young people through the Youth Employment Service.

President Ramaphosa said this collaboration has extended into key reform areas, including in energy security, logistics performance and crime prevention, under the Government Business Partnership currently in its third phase.

“This collaboration reflects a deep and maturing partnership, and a uniquely South African approach to mobilising the skills, energy and talent that we have in abundance,” he said.

The President also outlined government’s intensified efforts to tackle crime and corruption, long seen as barriers to investment, including strengthening institutions such as the Special Investigating Unit and the National Prosecuting Authority.

A new criminal justice reform initiative, modelled on Operation Vulindlela, will soon be launched to target organised crime, corruption and the illicit economy.

In addition, new regulations under the Public Procurement Act are expected to be finalised this year to enhance transparency and accountability in state spending.

President Ramaphosa acknowledged the country’s difficult past, including the era of state capture and economic stagnation, but said meaningful progress has been made in rebuilding institutions and restoring confidence.

“Today, the green shoots of renewal are emerging. We have turned a corner. Our task now is to build on this progress, to create a dynamic and thriving economy and a more inclusive society.
“We will not rest until it is complete, and until every South African benefits from the fruit of economic progress,” he said.

He urged investors to view South Africa not only as a destination for capital, but as a long-term partner in development.

“You are not merely investing in an economy, you are investing in a nation determined to grow, transform, and succeed,” President Ramaphosa said.

READ | Private sector commits to massive capital investments at SA Investment Conference

As the conference concluded, the President called on stakeholders to sustain momentum and work collectively to achieve faster, more inclusive growth.

“This is just the start. We still have much farther to go,” he said.

The President extended his gratitude to the sponsors of the conference, which include Afreximbank, Anglo American, African Rainbow Minerals, Coca Cola, The Development Bank of Southern Africa, DP World, Eskom, Google, MTN, Naspers, The National Empowerment Fund, Transnet, South 32, Uber and Vodacom.

He also thanked the Department of Trade and Industry, led by Minister Tau, the leadership of InvestSA, Infrastructure South Africa, the Industrial Development Corporation, Brand SA, Transnet, and all our partners for their hard work. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reaffirmed South Africa’s position as a leading investment destination.

Speaking at the Business Gala Dinner of the 6th South Africa Investment Conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening, Deputy President Mashatile emphasised that strong partnerships between government and the private sector are central to the country’s economic recovery and growth.

He said the conference had once again affirmed that South Africa’s growth and recovery depend on robust partnerships between government, business, labour, and society.

“What made this day truly exceptional was the unity we witnessed among our partners, and the way our nation spoke in one voice. A voice of reform, a voice of resilience, and a voice ready to explore new frontiers of investment,” the Deputy President said.

He noted that the investment conference, first launched in 2018 under President Cyril Ramaphosa, was designed as a results-driven platform to mobilise investment and drive implementation, rather than a “talk shop”.

He said the focus had now shifted decisively from commitments to execution.

As President Cyril Ramaphosa noted, the South Africa Investment Conference stands at the crossroad of turning pledges into projects on the ground. 

“This is why our focus has shifted decisively from commitments to implementation, from policy intent to measurable outcomes,” the Deputy President said.

Reforms and resilience boost investor confidence

The Deputy President highlighted that South Africa continues to offer a compelling investment case, underpinned by economic resilience, institutional reform and policy certainty.

Investors are increasingly seeking destinations that are resilient, credible and reform-oriented, qualities, he said, South Africa embodies.

He added that the country’s progress in structural reforms has strengthened its investment appeal. Through initiatives such as Operation Vulindlela, government has unlocked grid access, streamlined water licensing, opened freight logistics to private participation, and reformed visas to boost tourism.

“Our financial governance has been strengthened, earning us our first sovereign credit rating upgrade in nearly two decades and removal from the FATF grey list.

“These reforms are not abstract policy. They are the lived reality of investors, workers and communities,” he said.

South Africa has also strengthened financial governance, achieving a sovereign credit rating upgrade and exiting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, further boosting investor confidence.

R1.5 trillion in commitments 

Deputy President Mashatile said the country had already secured R1.5 trillion in investment commitments between 2018 and 2023, exceeding initial targets.

Of this, more than R600 billion has translated into projects across sectors including mining, manufacturing, technology and services.

“Jobs have been created, communities uplifted, and industries modernised,” he said.

He added that the current investment pipeline, valued at R284.8 billion across 66 projects, demonstrates that capital is already flowing into the economy.

“This is not a promise; it is a plan in motion,” he said.

Africa central to South Africa’s growth strategy

The Deputy President emphasised that South Africa’s economic future is closely linked to the broader African continent, with regional integration seen as key to unlocking growth.

He highlighted the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area in creating a single market of 1.4 billion people and deepening industrialisation.

He also reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening regional blocs such as the Southern African Customs Union and the Southern African Development Community, which together offer significant potential for cross-border investment and industrial expansion.

“Africa’s unity presents a strategic opportunity in a changing global economy,” he said.

The Deputy President pointed to major opportunities in energy, critical minerals and digital infrastructure, describing them as key drivers of competitiveness.

He said South Africa is advancing an accelerated energy transition, including renewable energy, green hydrogen and battery storage, while also expanding digital infrastructure through broadband, fintech and artificial intelligence.

These sectors, along with agritech, tourism and manufacturing, were highlighted throughout the conference as priority areas for investment.

Call for continued partnership

Deputy President Mashatile concluded by urging investors to move beyond commitments and work with government to deliver tangible outcomes.

“Let us commit not only to investment, but to building industries, creating jobs, and shaping futures. Together, we can turn commitments into factories, agreements into technologies, and announcements into livelihoods.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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South Africa has entered a new phase of growth, with the country securing the highest-ever investment commitments at the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC).

Closing the conference in Sandton on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the scale of pledges both in value and number of projects, marked a significant milestone since the launch of the investment drive in 2018.

“The cumulative value of the pledges made at this conference are the highest we have achieved since the first South Africa Investment Conference. It is also the highest number of projects.

“Much of this is domestic capital, demonstrating the strong and growing confidence of South African investors in our own economy,” the President said.

The large share of the commitments from domestic investors was complemented by a sharp rise in foreign direct investment and participation from development finance institutions.

President Ramaphosa said the breadth of investments across all nine provinces demonstrates that growth is no longer concentrated but increasingly distributed across the country’s economic landscape.

Major announcements included a R10.4 billion investment by Toyota in KwaZulu-Natal to support the automotive sector’s energy transition, while Sasol committed R60 billion to modernising operations in Mpumalanga and the Free State.

Other investments span mining, renewable energy, infrastructure and global business services including projects expected to create thousands of jobs, such as Teleperformance’s R145 million investment set to generate 2 600 employment opportunities.

“These investments span across all nine provinces, affirming their potential as engine rooms of growth,” President Ramaphosa said.

Beyond the figures, the President highlighted South Africa’s structural advantages, including a sophisticated financial sector, advanced infrastructure, abundant renewable energy resources and a youthful population.

He also underscored the importance of the country’s constitutional democracy, noting that the rule of law remains a cornerstone for investor confidence.

“South Africa’s investment case is not in doubt, and the reform agenda has proven to be consistent and measurable,” he said.

However, the President cautioned that while sentiment has improved, the country must now translate commitments into tangible economic activity.

“As we leave this conference, let us carry forward the momentum. This is just the start – we still have much farther to go. Let us turn commitments into projects on the ground and translate plans to progress,” he said.

The President reiterated government’s ambition to double fixed investment levels over time, as part of efforts to unlock faster and more inclusive economic growth.

“South Africa is rising. Those who see our economy’s potential and invest now will be rewarded in years to come. We look forward to walking this journey of growth and change with you until the next investment conference,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The sixth South Africa Investment Conference has seen private sector leaders commit to major capital investments across key sectors of the economy.

The conference unveiled a group of 16 “landmark investments” each valued at R10 billion or more, spanning multiple sectors including energy, tourism, digital infrastructure and manufacturing.

Leading the category was Sasol, which announced a R60 billion investment across its chemicals and packaging operations. The investment is set to be rolled out across all provinces.

In the tourism and property sector, Cornubia 957 committed R25 billion, with a strong focus on developments in KwaZulu-Natal. Telecommunications giant MTN Group pledged R21.8 billion towards expanding ICT infrastructure and advancing the digital economy, aligning with national priorities around digitalisation.

Members of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry South Africa collectively committed R20.4 billion across multiple industries and provinces, reflecting continued international investor interest.

Further investments included R20 billion from Diem Co and Salt Rock City in tourism and property development, particularly in established tourism hubs. In the green economy space, Seriti Green announced a R10 billion investment in Mpumalanga, supporting the country’s transition towards decarbonisation.

The conference highlighted a wider pipeline of investments grouped into sector-specific clusters.

The first cluster, focused on the green economy, energy and resources, comprises 19 projects with a combined value of R55.6 billion. These investments span renewable energy, mineral beneficiation, chemicals, packaging and industrial inputs.

The projects are spread across seven provinces and draw capital from multiple international markets, including Italy, China, Australia, Canada and India.

In total, 65 investment projects were announced across six sector clusters, amounting to R113.5 billion.

South African government infrastructure announcements included infrastructure spend of R1 trillion; key transport reforms and projects of R870 million; energy sector reforms and projects of R2.3 trillion; Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) investment in infrastructure and energy of R11.7 billion; and an infrastructure fund of R37.2 billion, amounting to R3.35 trillion over three years.

Delivering a vote of thanks, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau said the conference reaffirmed that investment is not an isolated transaction, but a partnership built on trust, policy certainty and mutual accountability.

READ | Tau positions South Africa as a resilient, investor-ready

He said the deliberations of the day – from infrastructure critical minerals and industrial development – underscored both the scale of opportunity and the importance of coordinated action.

“As we conclude, we are reminded that the true value of this conference will be measured not by the strength of our discussions alone, but the effectiveness of our implementation. 

“The responsibility we share is clear and that is to translate commitment into projects, to ensure timely execution and to deliver tangible outcomes that advance growth, create employment and improve livelihood.

“Your contributions have not only enriched our discussions, but have also advanced practical pathways for collaboration, innovation and growth to our investors, both domestic and international. 

“We thank you for your continued confidence in South Africa. Your engagement here and the commitments you have made reflect a shared understanding that South Africa remains a strategic partner for long term sustainable investment,” Tau said.

He also recognised the vital contribution of development finance institutions, industry leaders and strategic partners.

“Your role in mobilising capital, mitigating risk and enabling transformative projects is indispensable to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. 

“This conference has reaffirmed that investment is not an isolated transaction, but it is a partnership built on trust, policy certainty and mutual accountability the deliberations of today, from infrastructure,” Tau said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has reaffirmed South Africa’s position as a competitive global investment destination, declaring that the country has “turned a corner” despite a volatile global economic environment.

Addressing the closing session of the Sixth South Africa Investment Conference in Sandton on Tuesday, Tau told delegates that the country remains open for business, underpinned by policy certainty and a stable regulatory framework. 

Quoting President Cyril Ramaphosa, Tau said investments in South Africa are secure and supported by safeguards that ensure long-term stability for investors.

The Minister acknowledged mounting global economic uncertainty, including rising protectionism and disruptions to multilateral trade systems, but said South Africa had responded with resilience rather than retreat.

“We have learned that complexity is not a reason for paralysis, but rather it is a prompt for action. When the status quo was upended in April 2025, many predicted a reckoning. The prognosis was steep. Tens of thousands of jobs in citrus, wine, and vehicle manufacturing in South Africa were said to be at risk. 

“Economists estimated the tariff shock could shave off measurable points of growth. It was, in the parlance of the moment, a crisis. What happened instead? South Africa did not reach Armageddon, and instead, we demonstrated resilience,” Tau explained.

Trade strategy shifts amid global headwinds

Minister Tau highlighted the country’s “Butterfly Strategy”, which has seen South Africa pivot its trade focus toward high-growth markets across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Key interventions included the establishment of an Export Support Desk to assist affected exporters and accelerated trade negotiations with major economies such as China and Thailand.

READ | SA rises to meet investment opportunities

He pointed to the recently signed China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement, which will grant South African exports duty-free access to a multi-trillion-rand consumer market from 1 May 2026.

South Africa has also strengthened ties with the European Union through the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, described by Tau as a first-of-its-kind agreement positioning the country as a gateway to the continent.

In Africa, progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area is gaining momentum, with Tau noting increased export activity across several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

Investment commitments translating into projects

Reflecting on the impact of the investment conference since its launch in 2018, the Minister said government has made significant strides in converting pledges into tangible economic activity.

More than 300 projects have been initiated, with 161 either completed or under construction. Over R600 billion in investment commitments have already been injected into the economy.

He cited flagship projects such as the Platreef Mine in Limpopo and BMW’s investment in electrifying its Rosslyn plant in Tshwane as evidence of progress in industrial development and job creation.

The Minister emphasised that all investment announcements to be made at this year’s conference are backed by confirmed funding and board-level approval, signalling increased credibility of the platform.

Diversification, decarbonisation and digitalisation

Looking ahead, Tau outlined three strategic pillars for South Africa’s next phase of growth: diversification, decarbonisation, and digitalisation.

He said these pillars are central to the country’s industrial policy and will guide efforts to modernise the economy and attract sustainable investment.

“This new investment cycle is the platform on which we declare our ambitions for the next phase of this work. Where we are going is organised around three interlocking pillars: Diversification, Decarbonisation, and Digitalisation – the organising principles of our industrial policy, each backed by concrete implementation.” 

Tackling structural constraints
Despite the progress, Tau acknowledged persistent challenges, particularly regulatory delays that hinder investment.

To address these, government has established a Fusion Centre to fast-track project approvals and resolve bottlenecks in real time.

He also announced plans for an Omnibus Fast-tracking Act aimed at streamlining licensing processes, digitising permits and enabling faster visa approvals for scarce skills.

The Minister urged global investors to partner with South Africa, emphasising that the country’s track record speaks for itself.

“We are not asking you to take a leap of faith. We are inviting you to follow the evidence. Come and invest with us. Come and partner with us. And together, let us prosper,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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South Africa’s long-standing economic partnership with Europe continues to play a pivotal role in driving trade, investment, and infrastructure development, with leaders highlighting the need to sustain momentum and deepen collaboration to unlock growth.

This emerged during a high-level panel on Economic Diplomacy and Regional Cooperation at the Sixth South Africa Investment Conference on Tuesday.

European Union (EU) Ambassador to South Africa Sandra Kramer underscored the scale of the relationship, describing Europe as South Africa’s largest trading and investment partner.

“About 23% of trade in goods is between South Africa and the EU, while around 43% of foreign direct investment comes from Europe,” Kramer said.

She added that approximately 1 700 European companies operate in South Africa, supporting over 500 000 direct jobs and an estimated 1.6 million indirect jobs.

Kramer pointed to the Southern African Development Community–European Union Economic Partnership Agreement as a cornerstone of the relationship, noting that it allows 98% of South African goods to enter the EU market duty-free. 

“That gives South Africa access to a market of 450 million people,” she said.

French Ambassador David Martinon highlighted the depth of bilateral ties, revealing that French companies have invested around €66 billion in South Africa since 2019 across sectors including energy, manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture.

“These investments span the entire economy, from industrial projects to agri-processing and tourism developments,” Martinon said, adding that French firms continue to expand their footprint in the country. 

From a development finance perspective, Boitumelo Mosako said European funding has played a catalytic role in enabling large-scale infrastructure and development projects.

“European partners don’t just provide funding, they create multiplier effects that unlock further investment,” Mosako, who is the CEO of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, said.

She cited a €200 million green bond backed by the French Development Bank and significant funding from institutions such as the European Investment Bank as examples of how concessional finance has helped scale infrastructure projects in energy, transport, and water.

Mosako added that partnerships with European institutions have also strengthened project preparation and implementation capacity across the region, including cross-border infrastructure initiatives.

Kramer said recent initiatives such as the EU’s €12 billion Global Gateway investment package and the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership are expected to further accelerate investment in green industrialisation, digital infrastructure, and vaccine production.

“We have seen over 200 new European companies entering South Africa in recent years, which signals strong confidence in the country’s investment case,” she said.

Panellists agreed that Europe remains a reliable long-term partner in South Africa’s development agenda, particularly in advancing infrastructure, supporting industrialisation, and driving the transition to a green economy.

They emphasised the importance of maintaining the momentum built through recent engagements, including South Africa’s G20 Presidency, to translate commitments into tangible projects that boost economic growth and regional integration.

The session was moderated by Trudi Makhaya from the Boston Consulting Group. 
– SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa’s skills pipeline should be seen as a growing investment asset, Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli said on Tuesday.

Speaking during a plenary session on Skills for the Digital and Green Economy at the Sixth South Africa Investment Conference, Mhlauli said the country’s so-called skills gap is less about capability and more about connection.

“South Africa does not have a skills shortage problem. It has a connection problem,” she said. 

Mhlauli’s remarks echoed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s earlier sentiments. The President stressed that skills development, particularly among young people, is central to economic growth and transformation.

“The skilling of our people, especially young people, is critically important as we embark on a skills revolution,” President Ramaphosa told delegates.

Mhlauli said the “skills revolution” is already underway, pointing to the progress made through the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, which has supported more than 1.7 million young people.

She said hundreds of thousands of young people have already been placed into earning opportunities, with a growing number entering the digital economy.

“What we are seeing through our work in the digital economy is striking… young people can move from learning to earning in a matter of months. They are coming from every part of the country, not just traditional talent hubs, and when given access, they perform, and they stay,” the Deputy Minister said.

She argued that investment in skills development is no longer just a social imperative, but a key driver of economic transformation, particularly as South Africa positions itself for a digital and green economy.

“If we are serious about a digital and green economy, then funding youth skills development is not just a social good. It is a transformation imperative. The real constraint is how quickly we can connect that talent at scale to real demand.”

She further highlighted the importance of strengthening dual systems of education and training, combining formal learning with practical workplace experience to build a sustainable skills pipeline.

According to Mhlauli, the main constraint is not the availability of talent, but the speed at which it can be connected to real economic demand.

“The real constraint is how quickly we can connect that talent at scale to real demand,” she said.

She urged investors, employers and training providers to rethink how they view the country’s workforce potential.

“We need to stop asking whether South Africa has the skills for the digital and green economy, and start asking how we unlock and connect the skills we already have,” she said.

Mhlauli concluded by challenging stakeholders to consider whether the country’s skills pipeline is being fully recognised as an investment opportunity.

“If we get that right, this is not just a workforce story – it is a growth story, and ultimately, an investment story,” Mhlauli said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has intensified efforts to attract strategic investment into South Africa’s key growth sectors, holding a series of high-level bilateral meetings with global and local industry leaders on the sidelines of the Sixth South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) in Sandton, Johannesburg. 

The engagements, held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Tuesday, focused on unlocking investment in agriculture, automotive manufacturing, digital technology and the creative industries, sectors identified as critical to driving inclusive economic growth and job creation.

During a meeting with Chairman and Group CEO of UPL Limited, Jai Shroff, discussions centred on expanding agro-processing capacity, strengthening agricultural inputs and supporting climate-smart farming.

The partnership aims to position South Africa as a regional hub for agricultural inputs and agro-processing, while supporting emerging farmers and boosting food security through innovation.

President Ramaphosa also met with Anant Singh of Videovision Entertainment to explore opportunities in the creative economy. Talks focused on investment in film studios and infrastructure, enhancing film incentives and promoting South Africa as a leading global filming destination.

The collaboration is expected to support skills development, tourism and international co-productions, further strengthening the country’s film and television sector.

In the automotive space, the President engaged Andrew Kirby of Toyota South Africa Motors on advancing investments in green mobility.

Discussions included hybrid electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies, local battery assembly and supplier development, with a shared goal of positioning South Africa as a regional leader in sustainable automotive manufacturing.

A separate meeting with Charlie Zhang of Chery Auto reinforced this ambition, with both parties committing to expand collaboration in vehicle assembly, exports and green mobility solutions to drive industrial growth and job creation.

The President also prioritised the digital economy, meeting with Kojo Boakye of Meta Platforms to discuss expanding digital infrastructure, supporting small businesses and scaling digital skills programmes.

The partnership aims to enhance digital inclusion and position South Africa as a leading innovation hub on the continent.

In a similar vein, President Ramaphosa held talks with Kabelo Makwane of Google, focusing on investments in cloud infrastructure, data centres and artificial intelligence.

The collaboration is expected to accelerate SME development and strengthen the country’s digital capabilities, supporting entrepreneurship and long-term economic growth.

Collectively, the bilateral engagements signal government’s push to diversify investment across sectors while aligning with its broader agenda of industrialisation, digital transformation and sustainable development. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has called for urgent reforms to unlock investment in South Africa’s agricultural sector, warning that persistent constraints, including weak infrastructure, biosecurity failures, and policy uncertainty, are limiting the industry’s full growth potential. 

The Minister was speaking during an Investment Opportunity Commission on Agritech and Food System Innovation moderated by the Presidential Envoy on Agriculture and Land, Wandile Sihlobo, on the sidelines of the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) on Tuesday. 

Steenhuisen said the sector has shown strong recent performance but it requires targeted interventions to sustain momentum and drive job creation. 

“The last four quarters have shown very clearly the growth potential of agriculture and agro-processing,” Steenhuisen said, citing a 17% contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a 10% year-on-year increase in exports. 

He highlighted high-performing subsectors such as the citrus, deciduous fruits, and nuts, but warned that logistical inefficiencies, particularly at ports, are constraining further expansion.

“These sectors could grow by up to 5% in the medium term if ports and rail systems are able to move products efficiently to markets.”

Steenhuisen also raised concern about deteriorating biosecurity, which has led to disease outbreaks such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease, restricting access to international markets for livestock producers.

“We are seeing the opposite trend in livestock, where markets are shrinking due to biosecurity challenges. We need to rebuild that ecosystem urgently.”

A key opportunity lies in agro-processing, which the Minister said remains underdeveloped despite its potential to significantly boost value addition and exports.

South Africa was exporting raw products when it could be adding value locally. “That is where the real opportunity lies,” he said. 

Misunderstood

Adding an investment perspective, Director at PIC, Thabi Nkosi, said the sector remains misunderstood by investors, particularly in its diversity beyond primary agriculture.

“We still have a lot of work to do in positioning agriculture as a resilient and innovative sector,” Nkosi said, pointing to opportunities in climate-smart technologies and water innovation.

She identified policy uncertainty, infrastructure challenges, and regulatory barriers as major deterrents to investment.

“Investors need clarity on issues such as biofuels policy, land reform, and water rights. Without that certainty, capital will hesitate,” she said.

Building resilience

Global agribusiness leader Jai Shroff emphasised the need to build farmer resilience in the face of climate change, describing it as one of the most pressing challenges facing the sector.

“A resilient farmer can invest in better technologies, and climate change is a huge challenge for the sector. Today, we are really looking at different ways to be able to drive this transition, where we can really make farmers more resilient. 

“We are competing with countries around the world which have a lot of money and can throw money at agriculture when they have challenges, but in developing countries like India, Africa, etc., it’s a lot more difficult,” Shroff said. 

Shroff added that sustainable practices such as carbon sequestration and biofuel production could unlock new income streams.

He argued that farmers should be incentivised for environmentally sustainable practices, which could be monetised and contribute to global decarbonisation efforts.

Steenhuisen said expanding export markets remains central to the sector’s growth strategy, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, where demand for South African agricultural products is rising. 

“We have been staggered by the demand in markets like East and Southeast Asia,” the Minister said, noting progress in gaining access for products such as grapes, apples, and cherries.

READ | South Africa’s first table grapes shipment arrives in the Philippines

He added that export growth has a direct impact on employment, with increased revenues enabling farmers to expand operations and hire more workers.

The panel agreed that unlocking investment in agriculture will require a coordinated effort to address structural constraints, improve policy certainty, and scale up agro-processing, positioning the sector as a key driver of economic growth and job creation. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government’s push to build tourism infrastructure has begun to yield results, with eight investment-ready projects worth more than R1 billion now unveiled.

About 18 months ago, government called on provinces and cities to submit proposals aimed not only at attracting visitors, but at building long-term infrastructure to sustain the tourism sector. The response, officials say, was overwhelming.

Following a rigorous evaluation process, eight projects have been identified as fully structured and bankable.

Speaking at the Investment Opportunity Commission on Infrastructure, Tourism and Hospitality during the South Africa Investment Conference on Tuesday, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said the projects mark a shift in how tourism is being positioned.

“For the first time at this Investment Conference, tourism infrastructure investment projects are being presented not as ideas, but as opportunities,” de Lille said.

She said the initiative is aimed at diversifying South Africa’s tourism offering, introducing new products, and maintaining existing infrastructure.

“We have to diversify our tourism offering to the rest of the world, bring in new products, but also look at maintenance of our existing tourism infrastructure,” she said.

De Lille emphasised that tourism is one of the most employment-intensive sectors, making infrastructure development critical to job creation and economic growth.

She added that investor confidence depends on how projects are structured.

“Investors ask the same questions: is there a credible pipeline? Is the regulatory pathway clear? Are risks allocated appropriately, and are revenue streams predictable? These are the central considerations,” she said.

To improve the investment process, the department has established an investment facilitation unit to streamline engagement and reduce bureaucratic delays.

John Lamola, Group Chief Executive Officer of South African Airways, highlighted the critical role of air connectivity in tourism growth.

He said air travel, often driven by tourism, plays a broader role in fostering global understanding.

“When people travel, they don’t just move across borders — they move across understanding,” Lamola said.

He stressed that without adequate air access, even the strongest tourism offerings would struggle to succeed.

“If we cannot bring people here, then even the best tourism product cannot succeed,” he said.

Brand South Africa CEO Neville Matjie underscored tourism’s importance to economic development, noting that investment in the sector helps bridge social and cultural divides.

Panelists agreed that tourism should be approached as an infrastructure and competitiveness issue rather than purely a destination-driven sector.

They emphasised the need for projects to be structured with clear revenue models, defined risks and long-term viability to attract investment.

“Tourism must be understood not just as a destination story, but as an infrastructure and competitiveness story. That’s where the real competitive advantage lies,” one panelist noted.

“Investors don’t invest in stories — they invest in certainty.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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