Gauteng Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, says the province is aiming to secure at least R300 billion in investment pledges at the Gauteng Investment Conference (GIC), to be held in Johannesburg.
The MEC was speaking during a media briefing on the state of readiness of the province to host the conference, to be held at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, in Sandton, on 3 April 2025.
“Leaders across all tiers of government, including Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, Premier of Gauteng Premier Lesufi, and Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, will provide inputs at the conference. The keynote address will be delivered by the Deputy President, who also serves as the Leader of Government Business in South Africa, His Excellency, Paul Mashatile.
“Of equal significance is the large contingent of leaders across the business and government sectors on the African continent, the African diaspora and the globe. With over 50 companies represented, the conference will be a convergence point of the world’s most important companies in various sectors,” Maile said.
The Gauteng province is of importance for South Africa’s economy and contributes at least 33% to the national Gross Domestic Product, and nearly 7% of sub-Saharan Africa’s output.
“The [GIC] is a transformative event in affirming the place of the Gauteng province in the continental economy. We are asserting that the development of Gauteng is in the best interest of South Africa, the Southern African Development Community and the continent broadly.
“Thus, investment in the economy of Gauteng extends beyond the confines of its provincial borders into other lands across the entire continent,” the MEC said.
Furthermore, the conference will also serve as a platform for critical dialogue that will “enable direct engagement between policy makers, investors and industry experts”.
“This will ensure that we come out with tangible and applicable outcomes. The sessions will focus on, amongst other things, public-private infrastructure investments, as well as key Gauteng most dynamic and high growth sectors, including…advanced manufacturing, green and renewable energy, ICT [information and communication technology] and data infrastructure, transport and logistics, smart property development and urban regeneration, as well as tourism and the creative economy,” he said.
Maile emphasised that these sectors are critical to ensuring development on a provincial, national and continental level.
“Investment in these sectors offers the most reliable instrument for ensuring sustainability and development, offering a clear path to economic prosperity that is anchored on inclusive growth, environmental protection and human development,” Maile said. – SAnews.gov.za
