By Mandla Mpangase

“The opportunity is not ahead of us – it is here,” the head of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, Motlatjo Moholwa, told participants at a high-level roundtable on logistics in Pretoria on 19 March 2026.

With Gauteng contributing approximately 34% of South Africa’s GDP and more than 45% of its manufacturing output, Moholwa used the platform to reinforce the province’s position as the country’s industrial powerhouse and a prime destination for investment.

The roundtable, convened by the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) and the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ), forms a key part of the build-up to the 2026 Gauteng Investment Conference taking place on 9 April 2026

It brings together senior representatives from government, state-owned entities, logistics operators, manufacturers and investors to align on priorities that will shape Gauteng’s investment pipeline.

“This roundtable is more than a conversation,” Moholwa said. “It is a strategic platform feeding into the Gauteng Investment Conference, where we will showcase bankable projects and present Gauteng as an investment-ready destination.”

Driving toward an investment-ready province

At the heart of discussions is the need to strengthen Gauteng’s logistics ecosystem to support industrial expansion, particularly in the automotive sector, where the province hosts a dense network of component manufacturers and OEM-linked operations from Rosslyn in the west to Silverton in the east, and across the broader Tshwane corridor.

Participants are focusing on practical reforms to:

• Improve freight and corridor efficiency
• Strengthen road and rail infrastructure
• Unlock bankable logistics projects

These interventions are expected to play a key role in attracting private sector participation and ensuring that infrastructure development aligns with the province’s broader industrial strategy ahead of April’s conference.

Localisation and industrial growth

A major theme emerging from the roundtable is the importance of component localisation in deepening Gauteng’s manufacturing base.

“With its well-developed industrial infrastructure, access to skilled and semi-skilled labour, and strong technical training institutions, Gauteng is not just participating, it is a leading component manufacturing.

“This makes the province an ideal destination for investment,” Moholwa said.

Moholwa highlighted opportunities in import replacement, the growing automotive aftermarket, and export expansion through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He also pointed to the rise of green mobility as a new frontier for investment, particularly in electric vehicle components and advanced materials.

However, he stressed that unlocking this potential will require deliberate action, including stronger supplier development programmes, improved access to finance, and greater coordination between OEMs and local suppliers.

Infrastructure is the foundation

Infrastructure remains a central pillar of Gauteng’s investment drive.

The roundtable discussions are exploring how enhanced road and rail integration, coupled with targeted infrastructure investment, can reduce inefficiencies and improve the movement of goods across key corridors.

With established industrial zones, specialised facilities such as the Automotive Supplier Park, and incentives offered through special economic zones like TASEZ, Gauteng is positioning itself as a globally competitive manufacturing hub.

“Manufacturers benefit from market access to the SADC region, an established industrial base that reduces the cost of entry, and dedicated facilities such as the Automotive Supplier Park and Special Economic Zones like TASEZ, which offer world-class infrastructure, incentives, and streamlined regulatory processes. Public-private partnerships and government commitment further strengthen the province’s investment readiness,” Moholwa added.

Countdown to 9 April

As the province prepares for the conference, engagements like today’s roundtable are helping to refine its investment narrative to one based on infrastructure development, industrial expansion and localisation.

“Scaling localisation requires deliberate action,” he said.

“We must strengthen supplier development programmes to build technical capability and quality standards, improve coordination across OEMs and suppliers, and invest in skills development, technology adoption, and industrial infrastructure.

“Equally important is enhancing access to finance and markets for emerging manufacturers and providing policy certainty that encourages local production.”

The head of the province’s Department of Economic Development issued a three-fold challenge to the participants at the roundtable: “We call on industry to invest, expand, and partner locally. We call on government and agencies to enable, support, and accelerate. And we call on all stakeholders to collaborate in building a globally competitive, locally anchored manufacturing ecosystem.”

Moholwa’s call to action was unequivocal: collaboration between government, industry and institutions will be essential to translate plans into tangible investment outcomes.

With just weeks remaining before the conference, Gauteng is not only making its case to investors, it is also shaping the conditions needed to secure long-term, inclusive economic growth.