By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Gauteng Provincial Government has exceeded its R200 billion investment target, securing R205.6 billion in pledges at the Gauteng Investment Conference (GIC) on Thursday.
The province hosted the second annual Gauteng Investment Conference (GIC) at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.
Delivering provincial budget speech last month, then Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile outlined that the provincial government is targeting some R200 billion in investment pledges.
This brings Gauteng’s cumulative investment over the past two years to R518.1-billion, already at 65% of the R800-billion in new investments Gauteng aims to secure over a three-year period.
Last year, the GIC garnered some R312.5 billion in pledges in sectors including agro-processing, transport, infrastructure, property development and aviation.
These pledges are expected to provide some 114 000 job opportunities.
Key catalytic projects showcased at GIC 2026 included:
- Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network extensions.
- The Lanseria Smart City.
- The aerotropolis around OR Tambo International Airport.
- The expansion of the West Rand SEZ [Special Economic Zone].
- The proposed Vaal SEZ focused on steel revitalisation and green hydrogen
The bulk of the R206 billion in pledges is concentrated in infrastructure-led sectors, with transport and logistics attracting about R60.3 billion, followed by property development at R42.9 billion and core infrastructure at R33.5 billion.
Energy projects account for R22.4 billion, while manufacturing commitments total R14.4 billion, reinforcing the province’s re-industrialisation push.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered the keynote address, had urged investors to remain confident in South Africa’s government, pledging a collaborative and supportive working relationship.
Mashatile said the gathering advances commitments made at South African Investment Conference by localising investments, accelerating execution and removing obstacles at project level.
The event brought together representatives from local, provincial and national government, as well as global investors and development finance institutions.
His remarks came at a time when South Africans were under pressure from the rising cost of living, with recent fuel price hikes adding strain on motorists and businesses.
Gauteng Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Vuyiswa Ramakgopa, deeming the conference a success, saying that the new investment pledges, project-backed, sector-diversified, and implementation-focused, reflected a maturing investment ecosystem as Gauteng moved from fragmented development to an integrated economic ecosystem.
South African investors accounted for 78%, China 17%, the US 2%, the UK 1% and others 2%.
“Strong domestic investment provides stability and confidence and international capital brings scale, technology and market access. Together, they position Gauteng as a globally integrated investment destination,” she said.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi said the province’s ambition to become a high-performing economy hinges on “doing the basics” while scaling collaboration with the private sector to accelerate infrastructure development and job creation.
“We just have to do the basics and level the playing field and ensure that everyone is comfortable to come to Gauteng and do what they need to do,” Lesufi said.
Lesufi outlined an aggressive push to expand PPPs, positioning them as a key mechanism to unlock capital and fast-track development projects across the province.
Among the proposed projects are high-speed rail links connecting Gauteng to provinces such as Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as an overhaul of road and transport master plans aimed at unlocking economic opportunities.