As Premier of Gauteng, It is my distinct honour to welcome you to the Gauteng Investment Conference 2026 – a defining moment in our journey to build the Africa we want. This Conference is not simply a continuation of the success achieved in 2025. It represents a decisive ship in ambition – from mobilising investment to delivering it. From commitments to construction. From announcements to impact.
Gauteng remains the economic heart of South Africa and a central node in Africa’s growth story. Contributing 34% of national GDP and nearly 7% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s output, our province carries both a responsibility and an opportunity: to lead Africa’s next phase of industrialisation. Yet we are clear-eyed about the challenge before us. In a world defined by geoeconomic tensions, competition for capital, shifting global supply chains, and rising expectations of delivery, credibility is no longer built on vision alone – it is built on execution.
This is why GIC 2026 has been deliberately designed as an execution platform.
We are moving beyond traditional investment promotion. Building on the success of 2025, this Conference introduces a disciplined system to convert investor interest into bankable, implementable projects – supported by structured pipelines, coordinated institutions, and a transaction-focused Deal Room that aligns capital with opportunity.
Gauteng has been the country commercial centre for decades; however, its economic posture has been leaning toward consumption rather than sustainable production.
To secure long-term economic development , the province is making a U-Turn. The province is rebuilding local manufacturing to anchor the 40% of South Africa’s industrial output that Gauteng represents.
Gauteng is set to manufacture high-value products capable of penetrating global markets by implementing a sophisticated, multi-tier Special Economic Zone (SEZ) strategy.
By leveraging the specific regional strengths of the five development corridors, the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) is transforming the Gauteng City Region (GCR) into a production engine.
The OR Tambo SEZ serves as the forerunner for this export-oriented vision. Stationed around Africa’s largest air cargo hub, it provides the infrastructure for advanced manufacturing and beneficiation. With a world-class Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct already operational and one of the world’s largest food factories driving fresh-product exports since 2019, it proves that Gauteng can dominate high-growth niches.
Further south, the Vaal SEZ is steering industrial regeneration. By attracting R2-billion in investment toward the hydrogen value chain and renewable energy components, it is building on the region’s historic steel and engineering skills base to meet the “Green Economy” demand.
The Automotive Supplier Park in Rosslyn remains the standard for OEM support, ensuring that the automotive sector retains its continental lead. In the West Rand, where mining output has slowed, new SEZ planning is diversifying the economy into bus manufacturing, agrivoltaics, and pharmaceutical hemp.
These Special Economic Zones create an ecosystem where previously excluded citizens gain access to global value chains. By focusing on areas like avionics, battery energy storage, and New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), Gauteng is ensuring its re-industrialisation is tech-savvy and socially inclusive.
In addition, The Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) has launched the Manufacturing Support product, a term loan facility providing up to R5 million to help black-owned SMMEs scale their production capacity. This initiative directly supports the province’s re-industrialization strategy by transforming high-growth manufacturing businesses into competitive industrial players. As a strategic precursor to the Gauteng Investment Conference (2026), the fund acts as a pipeline to prepare local enterprises for large-scale private and multinational investment. By focusing on this high-value sector, the GEP aims to stimulate sustainable economic growth and significant job creation across the city region. Ultimately, the program reinforces Gauteng’s position as a critical manufacturing hub for both South Africa and the broader African continent.
The transition from a passive consumption hub to an agile production powerhouse is Gauteng’ s current reality.
The Gauteng Enterprise Propeller GEP) , an agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, has launched a product to amplify the provinces re-industrialisation efforts. This is line with the Gauteng Economic Development Plan priority to re-industrialise the city region.
The GEP Manufacturing Support is a finance product aimed at supporting Gauteng-based SMMEs in manufacturing and its subsectors.
The product is a targeted financial support instrument aimed at bolstering the productive capacity of Gauteng-based SMMEs operating within the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing is a high-value, high-growth sector with great potential to drive industrialisation and promote sustainable economic growth that stimulates job creation .
As a precursor to the Gauteng Investment Conference (GIC) 2026, the GEP Manufacturing Support is positioned as a strategic pipeline mechanism to support SMMEs in scaling up and enhancing their competitiveness. It is central to the core principles of the GIC 2026, which promote large-scale investment commitments from private and multinational investors into manufacturing projects for Gauteng . This accelerates economic growth and recognises Gauteng as a critical manufacturing hub for South Africa and the African continent.
The Manufacturing Support is a term loan facility of up to R5 million, specifically designed to support enterprises that are at least fifty-one percent (51%) black owned.
In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa made it clear that South Africa’s future prosperity hinges on its ability to accelerate innovation, deepen digitisation and implement technology‑driven economic reform. The President called for the development of an “innovative economy” supported by a dedicated Innovation Fund for tech start-ups emerging from universities and research institutions. He also highlighted the centrality of the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and smart public infrastructure as tools for transforming service delivery and increasing South Africa’s global competitiveness.
For those working at the heart of Gauteng’s innovation ecosystem, the message is clear. South Africa needs institutions capable of turning policy pronouncements into measurable socio‑economic impact. The Innovation Hub (TIH) ,Gauteng’s innovation agency ,is uniquely positioned to respond.
As Africa’s first internationally accredited science and technology park, TIH was established to drive the competitiveness, modernisation, and digital transformation of the province’s economy. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) , TIH manages innovation programmes that span the bio‑economy, green economy, and smart industries, while also operating as a sophisticated enterprise development ecosystem.
This institutional capability aligns directly aligned with the President’s call to build future‑focused industries, from green manufacturing to digital services, and to create jobs for young people through technology‑enabled economic expansion.
TIH’s suite of sector‑specific Programmes, including Tech Innovation and Cluster Development , Enterprise Development focusing on Bioeconomy , Digital Economy, Green economy, and Township Economy Revitalisation reflect an intentional strategy to ensure that innovation is not confined to research labs but reaches township communities, early‑stage entrepreneurs and dynamic high‑growth start‑ups. These programmes provide business development support, technical advisory services, IP assistance, and subsidised workspace to companies in renewable energy, health tech, smart agriculture, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, AI and more.
The President’s emphasis on reducing youth unemployment through digital skills development finds practical expression in TIH’s Skills Development programme where graduates are offered hands‑on experience on ICT, software, and business management experience to young people in Gauteng. This is the kind of pipeline South Africa requires to support the state’s broader digital transformation agenda.
The President stressed the need to create tech-enabled public services, including a digital identity system and AI‑powered visa processing platform to reduce corruption and modernise administration. Through its Technology innovation and cluster‑development programmes, TIH nurtures the very enterprises capable of supplying these solutions from GovTech and fintech start‑ups to cybersecurity firms and data‑driven service providers. The ecosystem fosters collaboration between government, academia, and industry – accelerating the development of scalable , secure, and digital public infrastructure.
Similarly, the call for green transition leadership connects neatly with TIH’s long‑standing investments in the green economy, including water innovation, renewable energy, and waste‑management technologies. These initiatives directly support Gauteng’s Growing Gauteng Together (GGT2030) strategy, positioning the province as the continent’s centre for sustainable industrialisation.
The Innovation Hub ecosystem is anchored on collaboration between academia, industry and government and, offers the kind of environment required to fast‑track the President’s vision for a more inclusive, entrepreneurial, and future‑ready economy.
As South Africa moves into era demanding speed, innovation, and real delivery, TIH stands uniquely ready to turn the President’s ambitions into action. With established programmes, strong partnerships, and a proven ecosystem, TIH is positioned to scale the technologies, enterprises and skills pipelines needed to drive inclusive growth across Gauteng and beyond.
Following South Africa’s impactful leadership in the G20 and B20, this edition highlights the progress and strategic projects positioning Gauteng for an ambitious 2026.
Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) – Special Edition December 2025
November 2025 – As global attention turns to the culmination of South Africa’s historic G20 Presidency, some of the most influential business and institutional leaders will convene at the 12th CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa to deliberate on initiatives to build long-term and constructive partnerships to accelerate development in Africa.
The CEO Dialogue, hosted by The European House – Ambrosetti (TEHA), a leading private Think Tank, will take place at The Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg from 20-21 November 2025. The event’s agenda underscores how partnerships between the public and private sectors and across nations can unlock opportunity and prosperity.
Discussions will put the spotlight on initiatives in areas such as infrastructure, energy, and mining, as well as a forward-looking view of Africa’s geopolitical and business landscape.
The “CEOs’ Views on African Business,” is one of the key sessions at the event and will feature the signing of the CEO Manifesto – a strategic document outlining 10 key statements from business leaders on the future of business in Africa, that will be shared with G20 member states and the South African Presidency.
Nhlanhla Nene, Chairman of The European House – Ambrosetti Africa ((TEHA), says: “Africa’s progress depends on institutions across the public and private sector and throughout the continent working together to drive growth and development. This is why we bring leaders from Africa together each year to foster collaboration and forge a vision for the future. Through open dialogue and shared commitment, our platform strengthens cooperation between Africa and the global community in pursuit of ambitious development goals.”
The initiative is hosted in collaboration with a selection of high-level international and African partners, including Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest financial institution by assets.
Lungisa Fuzile Chief Executive of Africa Regions and Offshore at Standard Bank Group says: “Africa faces an annual infrastructure funding gap of $100bn and platforms such as the CEO Dialogue are key to reinforcing the urgency of closing this gap. We welcome the opportunity to participate in collaborative efforts aimed at mobilising support for investable projects that could accelerate growth across Africa.”
Various partners echo the same sentiment in supporting the objective to strengthen strategic relationships, foster in-depth interaction among peers and government officials, and promote joint growth and investment opportunities:
“In the spirit of the Mattei Plan for Africa and the European Global Gateway, the Italian Development Cooperation recognises the private sector as a key actor, particularly in the agribusiness and energy sectors, where entrepreneurial expertise can provide tangible added value. The participation of the Italian Development Cooperation and AICS in this event represents an important opportunity to present Italy’s strategies in the region and to engage 11 companies from all five countries under its competence in a context rich in opportunities. Thanks to the excellent collaboration with the Embassies of Italy in Maputo, Harare, Lusaka, and Luanda, as well as with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) Offices, the AICS Maputo Office is particularly pleased to take part in the CEO Forum on Southern Africa 2025”, said Paolo Sertoli (Director, AICS Maputo)
Sthembiso Dlamini, Acting Group CEO, Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, added “The CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa comes at a pivotal moment, just days ahead of the G20 Summit, as we strengthen Gauteng’s role as South Africa’s strategic hub for trade and investment. Building bridges between Gauteng and Europe’s leading industries is not only about attracting capital, it’s about investing in shared prosperity. Our long-standing partnership with Italy continues to yield tangible results, from the Chamdor Automotive Hub to the AIDC Trade Test Centre, projects that exemplify how collaboration can drive skills development, industrial growth, and inclusive transformation. Through this platform, we reaffirm our commitment to deepening bilateral partnerships that position Gauteng as the gateway to Africa’s next wave of innovation and sustainable industrialisation.”
“In 2025, ITA will strengthen its commitment in Sub-Saharan Africa with renewed participation in the 12th edition of the TEHA CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa. Among the key initiatives, in line with the Mattei Plan, the Agency — in collaboration with the ITA offices in Johannesburg, Luanda, Maputo, and Nairobi, and with the contribution of regional Desks — will support this edition by placing at the center of the initiative a seminar dedicated to the growth of the Sub-Saharan macro-area, based on three strategic pillars: international trade and industrial cooperation, digitalization and telecommunications, technical training and professional capacity building. The goal will be to gather the positions of African partners in these areas and identify the main cooperation opportunities for Italian companies and for the Italian system as a whole.” – Matteo Zoppas, President, Italian Trade Agency.
Matshidiso Masire, Deputy Director, Gates Foundation Southern Africa said “Investing in human capital is one of the smartest and most transformative choices a country can make. Partnerships between governments, business, and philanthropy can turn innovation into impact – making sure every child has the chance to be healthy, to learn, and to contribute to a more equitable future. That’s the kind of inclusive growth the world needs – and Africa is showing how to lead the way.”
The Dialogue will be followed by a Gala Dinner on the evening of Thursday, November 20th, and a Cocktail Reception on Friday, November 21st, offering unique opportunities for high-level networking and informal exchange among participants.
Ends.
Gauteng Growth & Development Agency Macro business Intelligence
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS BRIEF
This brief summarises the following
- A brief background of BRICS
- Ease of Doing Business within BRICS
- South Africa and Gauteng’s trade and Investment relation with the BRICS bloc.
- Tarde opportunities and SA Goods with the highest export potential in the BRICS
- BRICS companies invested in SA
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