Powerful push

The drive to stimulate economic activity in the Gauteng province of South Africa has been promised a ZAR206 billion boost.

That is how much local and international investors pledged at the second annual Gauteng Investment Conference, held in Johannesburg on 9 April.

Moneyweb reports that the amount surpassed the provincial government’s goal this year of R200 billion.

However, according to the figures from the South African Government News Agency, the GIC raised about ZAR100 billion less than in 2025. Last year, it secured some R312.5 billion in pledges in sectors including agro-processing, transport, infrastructure, property development and aviation.

Moneyweb indicates most of the new investment has been pledged towards transport and logistics, which attracted about ZAR60.3 billion. Property development secured ZAR42.9 billion in investment commitments, followed by core infrastructure at R33.5 billion.

Energy projects account for ZAR22.4 billion, and manufacturing commitments total ZAR14.4 billion, reinforcing the province’s re-industrialisation push.

The investment pipeline is reportedly anchored by investments targeting the OR Tambo aeropolis and other logistics and transport hubs.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy President Paul Mashatile called for faster implementation of investment commitments.

‘Investment conferences are not ends in themselves,’ he said. ‘Their true value lies in translating commitments into projects on the ground… and jobs.’