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Five reasons every South African should pay attention to the International SEZ Conference

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By Mandla Mpangase At first glance, the 2nd International Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Infrastructure and Investment Conference may appear to be another gathering of government officials, economists and business leaders. But it is much more than that. The decisions, partnerships and investments that emerge from the conference could influence where South Africa creates jobs, builds new industries and competes in the global economy for years to come. Here are five reasons why every South African should pay attention. 1. Creating jobs South Africa continues to battle one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. SEZs are designed to attract manufacturers and investors who establish factories, logistics hubs and industrial facilities that create employment. When new investors choose South Africa, they do not only employ engineers and technicians. They also create opportunities for artisans, machine operators, electricians, drivers, security personnel, cleaners, caterers and hundreds of small businesses that become part of industrial supply chains. Ultimately, industrial investment translates into livelihoods. 2. Redefining what industrialisation looks like Industrialisation today is no longer about rows of factories producing goods behind security fences. The conference programme reflects a broad vision that sees SEZs become integrated economic ecosystems that combine manufacturing, logistics, innovation, renewable energy, housing, transport and skills development. Discussions will explore how SEZs can evolve into smart industrial cities that support sustainable long-term economic growth. This is the kind of thinking needed if South Africa is to remain globally competitive. 3. Shaping Africa’s future trade One of the conference’s major themes is cross-border collaboration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Rather than viewing South Africa as a market of 63 million people, manufacturers increasingly see access to a continental market of more than one billion consumers. Sessions will examine how SEZs can strengthen exports, harmonise regulations and build regional value chains across Africa. If South Africa is to become Africa’s manufacturing powerhouse, this conversation is essential. 4.  Bringing together people who can make things happen Many conferences feature discussions among policymakers alone. This one is different. The programme includes the President, Cabinet ministers, provincial leaders, global investors, multinational companies, development finance institutions, international organisations, logistics companies, automotive manufacturers and banking executives. These are the organisations that finance infrastructure, approve investments, develop industrial policy and make decisions on where billions of rand will be invested. When these decision-makers share one platform, meaningful partnerships become possible. 5. South Africa’s economic future The conference is about whether South Africa can rebuild its manufacturing base, attract investment, improve exports, strengthen infrastructure and create sustainable employment in an increasingly competitive global economy. The launch of the country’s new industrial policy alongside the conference reinforces the importance of industrial development as a national priority. If South Africa is serious about inclusive growth, reducing unemployment and competing internationally, the conversations taking place in Durban matter to every citizen, not just those working in government or business. The International SEZ Conference is ultimately about how South Africa creates an economy that produces more, exports more, employs more people and competes more successfully with the rest of the world. The answers discussed in Durban could help shape the country’s economic trajectory for decades to come.

World Bank study backs SA’s Special Economic Zone model as TASEZ emerges as flagship of industrial growth

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By Mandla Mpangase South Africa’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) programme has received a significant vote of confidence from the World Bank, with a new study concluding that the country possesses the infrastructure, legal framework and institutional capacity required to build one of the world’s leading SEZ programmes. The findings have been welcomed by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, who said the report affirms the government’s long-term industrialisation strategy and provides a roadmap for strengthening the country’s network of Special Economic Zones. The World Bank study found that South Africa’s SEZ programme has a solid policy and governance foundation but identified opportunities to improve coordination, increase investment attraction, deepen supplier development and strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems. It also recommended greater collaboration between national, provincial and municipal governments to maximise the economic impact of the zones. Speaking after receiving the report, Tau said the government was encouraged by the findings, noting that South Africa had laid the foundations for a globally competitive SEZ ecosystem. “The study has found that South Africa has the infrastructure, legal framework and institutional capacity to build a leading Special Economic Zone programme,” Tau said, adding that the recommendations would assist the government in refining policy and improving implementation. The minister described the country’s SEZ programme as one of the government’s most important industrial policy tools for attracting investment, expanding manufacturing capacity, creating employment and increasing exports. He said the World Bank’s recommendations align with the government’s broader objective of accelerating industrialisation and building regional value chains. TASEZ illustrates the model in practice Among South Africa’s SEZs, the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) has become one of the clearest examples of what the World Bank’s findings seek to encourage. Established adjacent to Ford South Africa’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, TASEZ has evolved into one of the country’s largest automotive manufacturing hubs and has become central to South Africa’s automotive export strategy. The zone has already demonstrated the economic impact that well-planned industrial infrastructure can deliver. Phase One of TASEZ contributed approximately 1% to South Africa’s GDP during its construction phase, while creating more than 6 000 construction jobs. Since becoming operational, the zone has generated more than 3 400 permanent direct jobs, with thousands more supported across supplier industries and logistics value chains. The development has also channelled more than R1.7-billion in procurement opportunities to South African small businesses while helping local manufacturers integrate into global automotive supply chains. TASEZ is home to numerous component manufacturers supplying Ford’s expanded production programme and is expected to play an even larger role as South Africa transitions towards new energy vehicles and higher levels of local component manufacturing under the South African Automotive Masterplan 2035. Its dedicated Training Academy, developed in partnership with technical colleges and universities, is also addressing one of the challenges identified in the World Bank study—building the skilled workforce required to support advanced manufacturing and industrial growth. Industrial policy delivering measurable results The World Bank’s findings arrive as South Africa’s SEZ programme continues to expand. According to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the country’s network of Special Economic Zones has attracted hundreds of operational investments worth more than R31-billion while supporting tens of thousands of jobs across manufacturing, logistics, agro-processing and technology industries. For South Africa, the report reinforces the importance of maintaining industrial infrastructure capable of competing internationally for investment while supporting domestic manufacturing capabilities. For TASEZ, the findings provide further evidence that the zone represents more than a successful automotive project – it has become a practical demonstration of how modern Special Economic Zones can drive industrialisation, attract global manufacturers, strengthen local supply chains and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth. As the government considers the World Bank’s recommendations, TASEZ is likely to remain one of the benchmark projects that inform the next phase of South Africa’s industrial development strategy.

TASEZ to showcase automotive industrialisation at international SEZ conference

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By Mandla Mpangase The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) will join other Special Economic Zones, policymakers, investors and industry leaders from across South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond at the 2nd International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference in Durban on 16 and 17 July 2026. Hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, the conference will be held under the theme “Reigniting Industrialisation through World-class Special Economic Zones”. The flagship event is expected to attract more than 1 000 delegates and will focus on strengthening investment, advancing industrialisation and promoting collaboration between government and the private sector. Discussions will also explore the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in supporting regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and South Africa’s broader industrial development agenda. TASEZ acting CEO Andile Sangweni said the conference provides an important opportunity to demonstrate how South Africa’s SEZs are contributing to inclusive economic growth. “This conference brings together the leading voices shaping the future of industrial development on the continent. “For TASEZ, it is an opportunity to showcase the impact of our automotive-focused model, exchange best practices with our peers, strengthen partnerships and contribute to the national conversation on how world-class SEZs can accelerate investment, localisation, skills development and sustainable job creation,” Sangweni said. It will also be an opportunity to learn from others and understand the latest global trends in industrialisation and economic development. The conference will also feature a two-day exhibition where companies operating within South Africa’s SEZs will showcase their products and capabilities, while the SEZ Achievement Awards Gala Dinner will recognise excellence and innovation across the country’s SEZ programme. According to the dtic, the conference will reinforce the role of SEZs as a key industrial policy instrument to attract investment, build world-class infrastructure, boost exports and create sustainable employment opportunities.

TASEZ announces the departure of CEO Dr Bheka Zulu

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The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) announces that Dr Bheka Clive Zulu will be stepping down from his role as Chief Executive Officer to pursue other opportunities. Dr Zulu’s leadership, dedication, expertise, and contribution to the organisation and its collaborative spirit have left an indelible mark on our company culture and the clients and investors we serve. He played a critical role in driving the success of TASEZ, positioning it as a strategic special economic zone for automotive manufacturing, investment facilitation, localisation, job creation, and inclusive industrial development.  Under his leadership, TASEZ continued to strengthen its role within South Africa’s automotive sector and its contribution to the broader industrialisation agenda. The TASEZ board of directors and the entire TASEZ team wish to thank Dr Zulu for his invaluable contribution and the absolute best in his exciting new chapter. To ensure continuity and stability within the organisation, the TASEZ board has appointed Andile Sangweni, the current Infrastructure executive manager, as the acting CEO until a permanent CEO is appointed. Sangweni brings strong institutional knowledge and will ensure that TASEZ continues to deliver on its mandate and maintains stability during the transition period. TASEZ remains committed to its vision of being Africa’s First Automotive City and to its role as a catalyst for industrial growth, investment, transformation, small, medium, and micro enterprise development, and socio-economic development.

Cabinet approves plan to drive job creation

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Cabinet has approved the revised Industrial Development Strategy for implementation to facilitate employment opportunities through various projects and programmes. “The Industrial Development Strategy is expected to create thousands of jobs each year, with a strong focus on skills development and preparing unemployed people for high-demand sectors such as renewable energy and manufacturing,” Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Friday, 5 June 2026, in Pretoria. The Industrial Development Strategy prioritises sectors critical to industrialisation, including the protection of strategic industries such as steel, automotive, manufacturing and mining. It also promotes expansion in future growth areas including agro-processing, the digital economy and the green economy. “In addition, the strategy targets sectors with strong potential for economic growth and job creation, especially for young people, including tourism and global business services,” the minister said. She added that a committee of ministers, chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will oversee implementation of the strategy to ensure coordinated delivery and impact. Developed through extensive consultation, the strategy focuses on high-impact, inclusive industrialisation of South Africa’s economy. It aligns with the policy priorities of the seventh administration and is anchored in three key pillars to drive industrial growth and transformation: decarbonisation, digitalisation and diversification. – SAnews.gov.za

Kenyan delegation visits TASEZ to study South Africa’s automotive industrialisation success

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By Mandla Mpangase A high-level Kenyan delegation accompanying President William Ruto on his state visit to South Africa visited the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) on 5 June 2026 to gain first-hand insight into one of the continent’s most successful industrial development projects. The Kenyan delegation was led by the cabinet secretary for investments, trade and industry, Lee Kinyanjui. The visit formed part of a broader programme aimed at deepening economic cooperation between South Africa and Kenya, with both countries seeking to strengthen trade, investment and industrialisation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). During the state visit, Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and William Ruto reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic ties and signed several agreements intended to enhance trade, skills development, transport cooperation and regional integration. For the Kenyan delegation, TASEZ offered a practical example of how strategic industrial policy, public-private collaboration and targeted infrastructure investment can be used to establish a globally competitive manufacturing hub from the ground up. Located adjacent to Ford Motor Company’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Tshwane, TASEZ has emerged as the flagship of South Africa’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) programme. Established to deepen localisation in the automotive sector, attract investment and create jobs, the zone has become a model for industrial development, drawing billions of rands in investment and creating thousands of employment opportunities while positioning South Africa as a major automotive manufacturing base on the continent. The Kenyan delegation’s interest in TASEZ reflects growing efforts across Africa to move beyond the export of raw materials and build value-added manufacturing industries capable of creating jobs and driving economic growth. TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu said the visit demonstrated the growing importance of SEZs as catalysts for industrialisation and regional economic integration. “Kenya’s interest in understanding the TASEZ journey is significant because it speaks to a broader African ambition to industrialise, create jobs and strengthen regional value chains. “What we have achieved here shows that with a clear vision, strong partnerships and sustained investment, it is possible to build a globally competitive automotive manufacturing ecosystem from scratch,” said Zulu. He noted that SEZs have become increasingly important instruments for attracting investment and supporting industrial development across Africa. “South Africa’s 12 SEZs collectively attracted R31.58-billion worth of investment since inception in the year 2000,” TASEZ executive for business development, Msokoli Ntombana, noted. “They have shown a net growth of R17.067-billion in the value of operational investments over the seven-year period starting from 2018/19FY, which has led to an additional 28 112 direct jobs being created, demonstrating the impact such zones can have on economic growth and employment,” Ntombana, added. The visit also provided an opportunity for discussions on the practical challenges and lessons associated with developing an automotive manufacturing hub, including infrastructure planning, investor attraction, supplier development, skills training and governance. As South Africa and Kenya seek to strengthen their strategic partnership, industrial cooperation is expected to become an increasingly important area of collaboration. Kenya has identified manufacturing as a key pillar of its economic development agenda, while South Africa continues to leverage its established automotive sector to drive exports, investment and industrial growth. The visit to TASEZ underscored a shared recognition that Africa’s future economic growth will depend not only on expanding trade between countries but also on building productive industrial capacity capable of supplying regional and global markets. For the Kenyan delegation, TASEZ was a case study in how targeted industrial development can transform a vision into a functioning manufacturing ecosystem, creating jobs, attracting investment and contributing to Africa’s broader industrialisation agenda.