President Cyril Ramaphosa Archives

Partnership with business sharpens its focus on faster inclusive growth

The partnership between government and business, now in its third year, must deliver practical, delivery-focused mechanisms that achieve measurable results in stimulating economic growth and job creation, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasises in his latest newsletter, From the Desk of the President, published on 24 August 2026. Last week, we launched the third phase of the partnership between government and business to drive faster inclusive economic growth and create jobs. This partnership is but one example of the collaborative initiatives that government has with social partners such as labour, business and civil society. Over the last few years, we have forged partnerships across society to tackle a number of economic and social challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic and gender-based violence to reviving and building key industries. When we established the government-business partnership in 2023, our country faced severe crises that threatened our economic progress. Load shedding, freight logistics constraints and persistent security challenges weighed heavily on businesses, workers and households alike. We recognised that while the state must set policy, regulate and deliver public goods, the expertise and resources of the private sector are critical if we are to build a resilient economy. Together, we resolved to address our nation’s most binding economic constraints. While the first two phases of the partnership were about stabilisation and structural reform, the third phase focuses on areas of the economy that can stimulate greater growth and job creation. When we started, our immediate objective was to respond to the crises in electricity and logistics. We brought on board private sector capabilities through the National Energy Crisis Committee and undertook joint efforts in freight transport to halt the decline in these critical network industries. We mobilised support from business for the structural reforms that government had embarked on and drew on its resources to build institutional capacity in the state. This work, together with the efforts of the relevant government departments and public entities, has helped us to achieve more than 400 days without load shedding. This has been possible thanks to a remarkable turnaround in generation led by Eskom, a rapid expansion in private generation capacity and significant progress toward a competitive electricity market. Operational performance at key ports has been strengthened through strategic partnerships and freight rail corridors have now been opened to private operators. The partnership has also contributed to South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, prompting credit rating agencies to upgrade their outlooks and ratings for the country. These are real outcomes that demonstrate that social partnerships are more than meetings and presentations; they are practical, delivery-focused mechanisms that achieve measurable results. While the work done to date has laid a firm foundation, our growth rate remains too low to absorb the millions of South Africans seeking work. With around 8.5 million unemployed citizens by the official rate and roughly 300,000 net new work-seekers entering the labour force each year, we must accelerate our pace. The third phase of the partnership sets a clear target of lifting South Africa’s GDP growth above 3% a year and contributing toward the creation of one million new jobs by 2030. To achieve this, Phase Three expands our focus across three pillars designed to convert macroeconomic stability into improvements in the lives of our people. The first pillar focuses on sustaining our core economic enablers by completing the unbundling of Eskom, building new transmission lines, fully operationalising the wholesale electricity market and expanding private train operations on our rail network. The second pillar unlocks growth in industries with substantial employment potential. These include mining, agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, and infrastructure. This includes rolling out the new mining cadastre system to boost mineral exploration, streamlining visa systems to attract international tourists, expanding agricultural export markets, and scaling up public-private infrastructure investment. The third pillar focuses on areas that boost confidence across society and in the economy. Confidence reinforces growth, and faster growth fosters more confidence. Areas that we will focus on are tackling crime and corruption, extending partnership models to improve municipal service delivery, and backing specialised forensic capacities to accelerate high-impact prosecutions against organised syndicates. We will scale up our work to create employment and livelihood opportunities for young people. This includes joint efforts to increase youth placement in entry-level jobs, supported by increased employment incentives and work-seeker support. We will sustain and expand effective public employment programmes, while working with business to improve the transition of youth into sustained earning opportunities. The overarching lesson of these past three years is that no single sector of society can resolve South Africa’s economic challenges in isolation. Government brings an electoral mandate, regulatory authority and policy direction. Business brings investment, technical skills and resources. When we align our capabilities around clear, measurable objectives, we move our country forward. This approach reflects and strengthens our broader democratic tradition of social dialogue and cooperation. By deepening these social partnerships and maintaining our collective momentum, we will convert confidence into investment, growth and jobs. And we will convert transformational reforms into shared prosperity for all.

Building an integrated, productive and prosperous southern Africa

News / By Tasez

In his latest weekly letter, From the Desk of the President on 17 August 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa talks about the importance of turning the southern African region into one that creates jobs, grows industries, develops infrastructure and improves lives. This week, South Africa has the honour, as the incoming chair, of hosting the 46th Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in eThekwini. As it starts its SADC chairship, South Africa’s focus is on the practical steps needed to further integrate the economies of SADC and build a dynamic regional market. This is becoming increasingly important in the context of growing turbulence in the global economy. Conflicts in faraway places are causing great disruption to trade, raising the prices of fuel, grain and fertiliser, and reducing the prospects for growth. It is precisely at such a moment that we should be clear about what SADC means for South Africans. Our membership of SADC is not just a matter of foreign policy. It is about the creation of jobs and improving the quality of life of South Africans. It is about the growth of our industries, the development of our infrastructure and the health and well-being of our people. As a community of 16 countries with a combined population of nearly 400 million people, SADC has abundant natural resources, a youthful population and the means to produce everything that its people need. Yet, trade among SADC countries only stands at around 20% of our combined total trade. Collectively, Southern Africa has abundant energy resources, minerals and land. We have skills, technology, industrial capabilities and strong financial institutions. Yet, we still import much of the goods and services we need from beyond our shores. For example, our region holds much of the world’s critical minerals, yet we export the ore and import the battery. We are supplying an industrial revolution taking place elsewhere and buying back its products at a price set by others. That is why we need a dynamic common market in which we trade with each other. No country in this region can, on its own, build an integrated power system, develop cross-border corridors, manage shared water resources or withstand the full force of climate change. We need to link our economies through corridors of goods, services and industry. We are developing the Maputo, North-South, Trans-Kalahari, Beira and Lobito corridors, but we need to do more so that they become living arteries of commerce, carrying freight, electricity, data and people. We have the Southern African Power Pool, which means that electricity generated in one country powers businesses and lights homes in another. Our task now is to widen that pool to ensure that all parts of Southern Africa have a reliable supply of affordable energy. We must similarly develop our shared water resources so that every country has the water it needs to supply its industries and its people in a sustainable manner. We need to remove the costs that we have imposed on ourselves, from reducing the price of phone calls and money transfers to reducing waiting times at our borders and harmonising customs procedures. Our ambition must not be limited to more trade with each other. We must produce goods and services together. We must assemble cars in one SADC country from parts manufactured in another, using materials produced in a third. While we need to invest in infrastructure and industry, our region’s most precious asset is our people. More than half of SADC’s population is under the age of 30. To realise this demographic dividend, we must ensure that every young person is given the best foundation for success in life. As a region, we should work together to ensure that every child has sufficient food and water, that they have quality health care and can access early childhood development. To realise their potential, we need to invest in our schools, universities, technical and vocational colleges and research institutions. These are some of the actions that this Summit will consider as we work to achieve SADC’s Vision 2050 for an integrated, productive and prosperous region. As South Africa takes up the chairship of SADC, we do so in the knowledge that our own prosperity is bound up with that of our neighbours. It is now up to all of us to turn this aspiration into a reality, and to turn the enormous potential that our region has into growth, development and jobs.

TASEZ named South Africa’s best newcomer SEZ

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) has been recognised as South Africa’s best newcomer Special Economic Zone, receiving one of the inaugural SEZ Achievement Awards during the 2nd International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference in Durban. The award was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who joined the SEZ Achievement Awards Gala Dinner virtually on 16 July 2026, where the government honoured outstanding performance across the country’s SEZ programme. The awards recognise excellence in leadership, governance, investment attraction, job creation, innovation, export growth, small, medium, and micro enterprise (SMME) integration, localisation, and sustainable industrial development. TASEZ’s recognition reflects its rapid emergence as one of South Africa’s flagship industrial development projects. Established to support the expansion of automotive manufacturing, the zone has attracted major investment, created thousands of jobs, strengthened local supplier development, and advanced skills development, positioning itself as a catalyst for industrial growth within the country’s automotive value chain. The award comes as the government places renewed emphasis on SEZs as key drivers of industrialisation and economic growth. Opening the conference, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed that South Africa’s industrial future depends on expanding manufacturing capacity, attracting investment, and building globally competitive industrial ecosystems. He described SEZs as strategic instruments for reindustrialising the economy, increasing exports, creating quality employment and strengthening South Africa’s position in regional and global value chains. The recognition also reinforces TASEZ’s growing reputation as a model for modern industrial development. As Africa’s leading automotive-focused SEZ, TASEZ has demonstrated how strategic infrastructure, close collaboration between government and industry, and a commitment to localisation and skills development can translate into tangible economic outcomes. Receiving the best newcomer award from President Ramaphosa underscores TASEZ’s contribution to South Africa’s industrialisation agenda and its role in helping build a more competitive, investment-driven manufacturing economy.

Ramaphosa hails record investment pledges as South Africa ‘turns a corner’

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that South Africa is entering a “new phase of growth”, following record-breaking investment commitments announced at the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Delivering his closing remarks to delegates, investors, and business leaders, Ramaphosa said the scale and scope of pledges made at this year’s conference provide compelling evidence that confidence in the country’s economy is strengthening. The conference marked the launch of a second investment mobilisation drive, targeting R2-trillion in new investments between 2026 and 2030. This builds on the success of the first drive, which exceeded its R1-trillion target. A total of R889.8-billion was pledged during the day-long conference on 31 March 2026. “The cumulative value of the pledges made at this conference is the highest we have achieved since the first South Africa Investment Conference,” he said, noting that the number of projects announced had also reached a new peak. A notable feature of this year’s commitments is the strong showing from domestic investors, which Ramaphosa said reflects growing confidence within South Africa’s own business community. At the same time, foreign direct investment has “increased phenomenally”, supported by participation from international firms and development finance institutions. The investments span all nine provinces and cut across key sectors including energy, mining, manufacturing, infrastructure and global business services. Among the headline commitments, Toyota will invest R10.4-billion in KwaZulu-Natal to support the automotive sector’s transition to cleaner energy. Sasol has pledged R60-billion for plant upgrades and new technologies in Mpumalanga and the Free State. At the same time, Valterra Platinum will expand mining operations in Limpopo to supply critical minerals for future-facing industries. Infrastructure and energy also feature prominently. South32 is investing R3.9-billion in rail upgrades linked to manganese mining in the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, while black-owned manufacturer Actom will inject R250-million into equipment to support electricity grid expansion. In the services sector, Teleperformance will invest R145-million in the Eastern and Western Cape, creating 2,600 jobs, while renewable energy company Mulilo has committed R14.8-billion to projects across multiple provinces. Ramaphosa emphasised that these commitments align with the government’s broader push to scale up infrastructure spending, describing it as the “largest infrastructure investment intervention” in South Africa’s history. Despite the positive momentum, the President acknowledged that significant work remains. Fixed investment currently stands at around 15% of GDP, and the country must double this level over time to achieve sustained economic growth. “There is a gap between improved sentiment on one hand, and greater capital deployment that translates to strong growth and jobs on the other,” he said. Central to closing that gap is the government’s structural reform agenda, which Ramaphosa described as “irreversible”. The reforms, coupled with a robust regulatory framework and adherence to the rule of law, are aimed at providing certainty and predictability for investors. He also highlighted the importance of South Africa’s constitutional democracy, noting that the rule of law underpins economic development, protects rights, and ensures accountable governance. Ramaphosa credited the private sector as a key partner in the country’s economic recovery, pointing to longstanding collaboration between business and government since 2019. Initiatives such as the Youth Employment Service have created more than 200 000 work opportunities, while joint efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan helped stabilise the economy. The evolving Government Business Partnership, now in its third phase, is focused on improving logistics, securing energy supply, and tackling crime and corruption – issues that remain critical to investor confidence. On this front, Ramaphosa outlined a series of interventions to strengthen the criminal justice system, including the establishment of a new reform initiative targeting organised crime, corruption, the illicit economy, and illegal firearms. He also confirmed that new regulations under the Public Procurement Act will be finalised soon to combat corruption in state procurement. Reflecting on the past decade, Ramaphosa said South Africa has made significant progress since the era of state capture and economic stagnation. “Today, the green shoots of renewal are emerging. We have turned a corner, and confidence in our economic trajectory is rising,” he said. He urged delegates to convert pledges into tangible projects and long-term partnerships that drive inclusive growth and job creation. “You are not merely investing in an economy,” he said. “You are investing in a nation determined to grow, transform, and succeed.”

South Africa sets the stage for broad-based, investment-led growth

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase South Africa is entering a new phase in its economic trajectory, with President Cyril Ramaphosa positioning the country as a reform-driven, investment-ready destination focused on inclusive and sustainable growth. Addressing more than 1 000 delegates from over 50 countries at the sixth South Africa Investment Conference on 31 March 2026, Ramaphosa made it clear that the government’s priority is not only to attract capital, but to ensure investment translates into tangible, broad-based benefits. “We are creating the conditions for investment-led growth that is broad-based, inclusive, and durable,” he said. “Investment conferences such as this are an opportunity for us to showcase the attractiveness of investment opportunities in our country to domestic and international investors. By connecting investors with local opportunities, we are able to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). They also facilitate strong partnerships by bringing together governments, business, banks, and development finance institutions.” Gauteng, the country’s economic hub, provided a fitting backdrop. As the largest contributor to national GDP, the province remains central to South Africa’s investment proposition. South Africa’s post-1994 journey has been marked by resilience. The country has navigated global and domestic shocks, from the financial crisis to state capture and the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining institutional stability. Now, that resilience is being translated into growth. Under the Government of National Unity formed after the 2024 elections, the economy has recorded four consecutive quarters of expansion into early 2026, alongside stabilising inflation and improved investor sentiment. However, Ramaphosa stressed that credibility must be backed by delivery. “We know that investors reward execution, not just commitment,” he said, highlighting a shift toward measurable reform outcomes. Central to this effort is Operation Vulindlela, a joint initiative between the Presidency and National Treasury aimed at removing structural constraints to growth. Its focus is on reducing the cost and complexity of doing business across key sectors, including energy, logistics, water, and visas. Nowhere has reform been more consequential than in the energy sector. Following years of load shedding, the government has restructured the electricity market, unbundled Eskom, and opened the grid to private investment. The result is a rapidly expanding pipeline of renewable energy projects and improved energy security. Through these interventions, Ramaphosa said, “we have brought an end to load shedding and ensured a reliable supply of electricity”, a critical milestone for restoring investor confidence. Energy reform also underpins South Africa’s broader transition to a low-carbon economy. Opportunities in green hydrogen, electric vehicle manufacturing, battery storage, and critical minerals are expected to drive future growth, while aligning with global climate commitments. With its significant reserves of platinum group metals and other resources, the country is well-positioned to play a strategic role in global clean energy value chains. Importantly, the transition is being framed as inclusive. “We have been firm that the energy transition must be just and that it should leave no one behind,” Ramaphosa said. Infrastructure investment is another cornerstone of the growth strategy. Over the next three years, the government has committed more than R1 trillion to infrastructure development across transport, energy, water, and digital systems. “Infrastructure is the flywheel that propels growth,” Ramaphosa said, noting its role in reducing costs, improving productivity, and creating jobs at scale. The approach is designed to crowd in private sector participation. Reforms in logistics are opening rail and port operations to competition, while new public-private partnership frameworks and blended finance instruments aim to de-risk investment and accelerate delivery. In the water sector, a pipeline of projects worth more than R50 billion is being prepared for private investment. Beyond infrastructure, the government is emphasising inclusion. Investment projects are expected to incorporate local content, skills development, and community benefits, ensuring that growth is shared more widely. At the same time, South Africa’s empowerment framework is being refined to balance transformation with investment attraction. Mechanisms such as the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme allow multinational firms to contribute to development without altering ownership structures. “Our overriding objective is to support firms with compliance, and to embrace empowerment as a meaningful investment in South Africa’s long-term economic stability,” Ramaphosa said. The conference also marked the launch of a second investment mobilisation drive, targeting R2-trillion in new investments between 2026 and 2030. This builds on the success of the first drive, which exceeded its R1-trillion target. The new phase begins with a strong pipeline of 81 projects worth nearly R890-billion, expected to create more than 230 000 jobs. “This is not ambition for its own sake,” Ramaphosa said. “It is the arithmetic of what South Africa requires to achieve meaningful unemployment reduction and industrialise at scale.” As global uncertainty reshapes capital flows, South Africa is positioning itself as a stable, reform-oriented destination. While Africa continues to attract a relatively small share of global foreign direct investment, the country remains a leading recipient on the continent. “We are meeting at a time of uncertainty for the global economy. Geopolitical fragmentation, supply chain disruptions from conflicts and wars, and trade tensions are radically impacting global capital flows,” Ramaphosa noted. “In such conditions, South Africa presents a favourable proposition as a resilient, credible and reform-oriented investment destination with strong fundamentals.” Ultimately, the success of this strategy will depend on sustained implementation. “This is only the start of an era of new growth and dynamism for South Africa’s economy,” Ramaphosa said. The task now is to convert investment commitments into real projects and ensure those projects deliver lasting, inclusive growth.

SA’s investment prospects buoyed by economic recovery

Thought leaders / By Tasez

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, 30 March 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa gears up for the sixth South Africa Investment Conference taking place in Sandton, Gauteng. This week, we will be welcoming delegates from more than 50 countries to the sixth South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) in Sandton, Gauteng. Since its inception in 2018, the SAIC has grown to become a premier global forum for showcasing the attractiveness of investment opportunities in our country to domestic and international investors. Investment conferences play a key role in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) as high-profile platforms that connect international investors with local opportunities. They also facilitate strong partnerships by bringing together governments, business, banks and development finance institutions. As investors look to destinations that have demonstrated resilience in the face of increasingly volatile global financial conditions, South Africa presents a favourable proposition. We are Africa’s largest economy with a diversified industrial base. Since we began our first R1,2-trillion investment mobilisation drive in 2018, we have secured investment pledges in mining, healthcare, automotive, food and beverage and others, reflecting the sophistication of our economy. South Africa is also the leading destination for renewable energy investment on the continent, with these investments making up a considerable share of the total pledges made at previous conferences. We have a sound policy and regulatory environment, offering certainty to investors at a time when we are just one of many emerging markets across the globe vying for capital. We are also a gateway for businesses looking to set up or expand their operations in Africa. Through this conference, as well as the five preceding ones, we will be seeking to build even greater confidence in our country as an investment destination, and to demonstrate our commitment to structural reform, policy certainty and policy execution. The green shoots of economic recovery we are experiencing further bolster our position. The macroeconomic outlook has improved. We experienced four consecutive quarters of growth by the end of 2025, national debt has stabilised, and more jobs are being created. Last year, our sovereign rating was upgraded for the first time in 17 years, and we were removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list. The structural reform agenda being driven through Operation Vulindlela has unlocked progress in electricity, freight logistics, water, telecommunications, and the visa system. We have brought load-shedding to an end and are creating a new, competitive electricity market that will ensure energy security and attract investment. The country’s logistics sector is being rapidly modernised, and we are enabling private investment in port and rail operations. Among the projects for which we have initiated a Private Sector Participation (PSP) process are the Ngqura Manganese Export Corridor in the Eastern Cape and the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal in KwaZulu-Natal. Last year we also signed a 25–year concession for the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2, representing R11-billion in private investment. A system for third-party access to the freight rail network is in place, and 41 freight rail slots have been allocated to private companies. We have implemented reforms to the visa regime to attract new skills and promote tourism. These include operationalising the Remote Work Visa, introducing a Trusted Employer Scheme to support major investors, and piloting an Electronic Travel Authorisation system. By showcasing the progress and durability of the reform agenda, our goal is to grow the pool of inward investment from businesses and countries that will ultimately be a bridge to new markets, technologies and networks for South Africa. This year’s conference has to date attracted more than 1 000 delegates from more than 50 countries. At the end of our first five-year investment mobilisation drive in 2024, we exceeded our target by 26%, securing pledges valued at R1,57-trillion. Over 300 projects were initiated, and to date, 161 of these have been finalised or are under construction. The pledges have not been merely vague commitments and promises, but have materialised as tangible, brick-and-mortar projects that are creating jobs for our people. Last year I opened the Platreef Mine in Mokopane in Limpopo, which is positioned to play a leading role in the production of sought-after critical minerals for the energy transition. This facility that employs more than 2 000 workers from the local community and is partly owned by a community trust emanated from a R2,8-billion investment pledge by Ivanhoe Mines at the South Africa Investment Conference in 2022. Last year, I also visited the BMW plant in Rosslyn in Tshwane, where the automotive giant has invested R4,2-billion for the electrification of its only plant on the continent that will be producing the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid electric vehicle. This was also an investment pledged at the SAIC. By showcasing our unique and favourable proposition as an investment destination of choice, we have set ourselves the goal of mobilising R2-trillion in new investments by 2028. As we strive to achieve growth that creates jobs for our people, this next phase will move from pledges towards implementation. This year’s investment conference stands at the crossroads of opportunity and ambition. The clear message we will be delivering is that we remain committed to staying the course on fiscal discipline, to accelerating the momentum of the reform agenda – and to leveraging investment to build an economy that is inclusive, transformed and that benefits all.

President doubles down on industrialisation, manufacturing and green growth in SONA 2026

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase President Cyril Ramaphosa used his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to place industrialisation, manufacturing and green growth at the centre of South Africa’s economic recovery agenda, outlining a sweeping strategy that positions the automotive sector – and hubs such as the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) – as catalysts for investment, jobs and technological transition. Speaking to a joint sitting of Parliament in Cape Town on 12 February 2026, President Ramaphosa said South Africa was entering a decisive phase in which it must pivot from exporting raw materials to producing high-value manufactured goods for global markets. “The biggest opportunity of all lies in green growth. We are pivoting our economy to be a leading supplier of the products which the world will rely on in decades to come,” he said. Manufacturing and green industrialisation The president confirmed expanded support for manufacturing, particularly export-oriented green industries such as fertiliser, jet fuel, chemicals and steel. For the automotive sector, the most significant announcement was the introduction of a 150% tax deduction for investment in new energy vehicles (NEVs) from March 2026, alongside government support for local battery production. This policy could accelerate investment in South Africa’s electric and hybrid vehicle value chain, with special economic zones such as TASEZ well-positioned to anchor new assembly lines, component manufacturing and battery-related industries. President Ramaphosa also highlighted R250-billion in international pledges to the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, which will finance manufacturing, infrastructure and skills development – pillars for industrial hubs such as TASEZ that aim to integrate clean energy, logistics and advanced manufacturing. Critical minerals, beneficiation and the automotive value chain The president also underscored South Africa’s mineral endowment, with ore reserves valued at more than R40-trillion, and reiterated the government’s commitment to local beneficiation of critical minerals. This beneficiation push is expected to underpin domestic production of battery materials, catalytic converters, lightweight metals and other automotive components, strengthening localisation in zones like TASEZ. The Industrial Development Corporation’s R300-million investment in the Frontier Rare Earths Project was highlighted as a step towards building supply chains for lithium batteries and electronics – technologies increasingly integral to next-generation vehicles. Investment pipeline and industrial infrastructure President Ramaphosa said South Africa had secured R1.5-trillion in investment commitments through its first five investment conferences, with R600-billion already flowing into projects, including new factories and mines. Government is targeting R2-trillion in new investments over the next five years, with the next investment conference scheduled for 31 March 2026. Public infrastructure investment of more than R1-trillion over three years will underpin industrial growth, with energy, water, transport and digital infrastructure prioritised. Improved logistics, ports and rail corridors were flagged as critical to exporting manufactured goods from industrial zones such as TASEZ to global markets. Jobs, SMEs and inclusive industrialisation Job creation was framed as the ultimate goal of industrialisation. The president said if every small and medium enterprise (SME) employed one additional person, three million jobs could be created. Government will provide R2.5-billion in funding to 180 000 SMEs, extend R1-billion in guarantees, and prioritise women- and youth-led businesses. This is expected to support supplier development and localisation programmes linked to manufacturers operating in TASEZ and other SEZs. Public employment programmes will be expanded and better coordinated to provide skills development pathways into long-term industrial employment, particularly for young people and women. Skills development for a future automotive workforce Ramaphosa stressed that industrialisation depends on human capital, noting that a strong economy relies on a well-educated, capable and skilled population. The Youth Employment Service and South Africa Youth platform will be strengthened, while regulatory changes will make it easier for businesses to offer work experience opportunities. This could bolster talent pipelines for advanced manufacturing, engineering, robotics and electric mobility technologies in zones such as TASEZ. Protecting and transforming the automotive sector The president reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding and modernising the automotive industry, which employs hundreds of thousands of South Africans in high-quality jobs. Government is working with industry and labour to close tariff loopholes, protect domestic manufacturing and prepare the sector for the global shift to electric vehicles. TASEZ is well-positioned to play a central role in this transition by clustering OEMs, component manufacturers, logistics providers and research institutions. A strategic window for TASEZ and South Africa President Ramaphosa acknowledged persistent challenges, including unemployment and service delivery failures, but said energy reforms, rising investor confidence and infrastructure investment had created a critical opportunity for economic transformation. “We have a unique window of opportunity to translate these gains into sustained growth,” he said. For South Africa’s automotive sector and industrial platforms such as TASEZ, the 2026 SONA signals a renewed policy push towards localisation, electric mobility and high-value manufacturing, positioning the country to compete in global automotive value chains while driving jobs and inclusive growth at home.

SONA 2026: A TASEZ wish list for South Africa’s industrial reset

Thought leaders / By Tasez

By TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu As South Africa prepares for the 2026 State of the Nation Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 12 February 2026, the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) – Africa’s first automotive city – is hoping to see an emphasis being placed on putting manufacturing at the centre of the country’s economic strategy. Manufacturing remains one of the few sectors capable of creating large-scale employment, driving exports and anchoring technology transfer. Yet, despite its strategic importance, South Africa’s manufacturing sector continues to underperform relative to its potential, constrained by energy insecurity, logistics inefficiencies and policy uncertainty. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are among the most effective tools available to reverse this trend. Zones such as TASEZ have demonstrated that targeted infrastructure, incentives and policy alignment can crowd in private investment and build globally competitive industrial clusters. SONA 2026 is an opportunity to scale this model. From a TASEZ perspective, there are several policy signals we would like to hear. First, a credible manufacturing growth pactSouth Africa needs a clear, time-bound commitment to manufacturing expansion, aligned with the Industrial Policy Framework, the Automotive Masterplan and the transition to new energy vehicles (NEVs). This should include measurable localisation and export targets, backed by regulatory certainty. Investors require predictability; industrial policy cannot shift with every political cycle. Second, a competitive SEZ incentive regimeSEZs compete globally. Countries such as Morocco, Vietnam and Egypt have built industrial bases by offering compelling fiscal incentives, streamlined customs processes and reliable infrastructure. South Africa must remain competitive. Enhanced incentives, faster approvals and dedicated industrial energy solutions would materially improve the country’s investment proposition. Third, explicit positioning of SEZs as anchors of the green and automotive transitionThe global automotive sector is undergoing a structural shift towards electrification, batteries and smart mobility. South Africa risks being locked out of future value chains if it does not act decisively. SEZs should be designated as production hubs for NEV (new energy vehicle) assembly, battery manufacturing and hydrogen-related industries, supported by targeted incentives and infrastructure. Fourth, localisation that delivers for MSMEsLocalisation policy must translate into real procurement opportunities for South African firms, particularly black-owned and township-based enterprises. Stronger localisation thresholds in public procurement, integrated with SEZ supplier development programmes, can help domestic firms integrate into global value chains rather than remaining peripheral participants. Fifth, infrastructure as an industrial enablerIndustrial policy without reliable infrastructure is aspirational at best. Manufacturing requires predictable electricity supply, efficient rail and port logistics, and high-quality digital connectivity. Commitments to stabilise industrial energy supply and modernise logistics networks would significantly improve South Africa’s industrial competitiveness. Sixth, blended finance to bring in private capitalIndustrial projects are capital-intensive and long-term. Development finance institutions can play a catalytic role by de-risking SEZ-based projects through blended finance structures. Public capital, concessional funding and private investment must be combined at scale to accelerate industrial development. Finally, a national skills pipeline for advanced manufacturingFuture factories require technicians, engineers and digital specialists. Coordinated partnerships between industry, TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges, universities and SEZs could position South Africa as a manufacturing talent hub on the continent. SONA 2026 comes at a defining moment. Global supply chains are fragmenting, the energy transition is reshaping trade patterns, and the African Continental Free Trade Area offers an unprecedented market for manufactured goods. South Africa has the industrial base, institutional capacity and geographic advantage to benefit – but only if policy ambition is matched by execution. SEZs such as TASEZ are platforms for a new economic narrative: one where South Africa builds, makes and exports at scale. If SONA 2026 delivers a bold and credible manufacturing and SEZ agenda, it could mark the beginning of a long-overdue industrial reset.

We must build on the momentum of our economic recovery

Thought leaders / By Tasez

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, 26 January 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted that the country’s economic recovery is on the up, with four consecutive quarters showing growth and unemployment showing a decline. As we enter a new year, the momentum of our economic recovery is gathering pace. In the last months of 2025, we saw a number of indicators that our collective efforts to rebuild our economy are bearing fruit. The economy has posted four consecutive quarters of growth. There has been a steady reduction in unemployment, while recent data released by Statistics South Africa shows that levels of poverty and inequality have declined considerably. Confidence in our economy is rising, the stock exchange has been performing well and the average inflation rate is the lowest in two decades. Late last year, South Africa exited the Financial Action Task Force grey list, which is an important signal of institutional improvement and a boost to investor confidence. We have also seen a sovereign credit ratings upgrade, reflecting strengthened fiscal credibility. While these signs of progress are encouraging, there is no time to rest. The difference between a temporary lift in growth and sustained shift in our economic trajectory lies in expanding investment. With a strengthening currency and rising commodity prices, we have wind in our sails. Now we must steer our ship towards greater prosperity for all South Africans. Last week, at its first meeting of the year, the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) made clear proposals on how to achieve this goal. A body of respected local and international economists, academics and practitioners, the council provides strategic and evidence-based advice on policy decisions that promote economic stability, growth and inclusivity. The council said that government should translate recent positive developments into enduring growth by simultaneously boosting public infrastructure spending and lowering the cost of doing business. Increasing infrastructure investment is not simply about spending more. It is about delivering projects that reduce the cost of doing business, unlock growth and create jobs. Council members expressed strong support for the ongoing programme of structural transformation in key sectors such as electricity, logistics and water. These interventions, which have brought an end to load-shedding and improved rail and port performance, aim to enable competition, improve the efficiency of network industries and reduce costs across the economy. Our electricity reforms are critical to this effort. A competitive electricity market is essential to bringing down the cost of electricity. And lower electricity prices are critical for both inclusive growth and social development. Similarly, improving logistics performance in rail, ports and freight corridors remains essential to exports, industrialisation and job creation. In addition to boosting private investment, we need to achieve higher levels of public investment in infrastructure. Over the last few years, we have laid a solid foundation for investment by streamlining the regulations that have held back infrastructure projects, making it easier to pursue public-private partnerships, and establishing strong institutions such as Infrastructure South Africa and the Infrastructure Fund. We have committed more than R1-trillion of public funds for infrastructure projects over the next three years. We need to build on this foundation by strengthening our state-owned enterprises and enabling them to invest at much higher levels. We must do all of this at a time when the international environment is increasingly volatile and uncertain. Global growth is expected to remain subdued over the medium term and many countries are facing heightened trade and geopolitical tensions. This underscores the need for South Africa to sharpen its competitiveness and expand markets, particularly on the African continent. We must capitalise on the positive momentum of recent months by building strong partnerships, strengthening delivery, and closing the gap between policy intent and implementation. Only if our own institutions are strong can we compete and remain responsive in a rapidly changing world. During the course of this year, we need to double down on our efforts to grow investment and create jobs. We must seize the momentum we built and translate this into long-term gains for our economy. In the coming days, Cabinet will hold its annual Lekgotla to outline the actions that will be taken across Government and with social partners to achieve these goals. Through these actions, by working together, we will ensure that the progress we’ve seen in the last year will have an impact on the lives of South Africans this year.

Thank you to the people of South Africa for a historic G20 Presidency

Thought leaders / By Tasez

“We have placed Africa’s growth and development at the heart of the G20’s agenda,” writes South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa in his latest weekly newsletter published on 24 November 2025 – the day after the closing of the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit. Over the past two days, our country hosted leaders from around the world for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. This is the first time that the G20 has been hosted on African soil. Recognising the importance of this milestone, we have placed Africa’s growth and development at the heart of the G20’s agenda. The G20 matters for South Africa not only to cement our important role in international affairs, but also to support our own growth and create jobs for South Africans. We can only achieve these objectives in an environment of global stability, inclusive growth and a level playing field. Leading up to the G20 Leaders’ Summit, we hosted tens of thousands of delegates for more than 130 meetings in every part of our country, from Gqeberha to George, Cape Town to eThekwini, Hoedpsruit to Polokwane. We welcomed visitors from around the world to see and enjoy the beauty of our natural landscapes, the warmth of our people’s hospitality and the sophistication of our economy. Our G20 Presidency has been rooted in the conviction that the world needs more solidarity, equality and sustainability. While some have sought to create division and polarisation between nations, we have reinforced our shared humanity. We have fostered collaboration and goodwill. Above all, we have affirmed that our shared goals outweigh our differences. We have prioritised issues that are important for advancing more rapid and inclusive growth in our own country. We reached agreements that will benefit every South African. We secured a clear commitment from the international community to address the high levels of debt which divert spending by developing economies – including our own – on infrastructure, health and education. We placed this issue firmly on the agenda to increase investment on the continent and seize the unique opportunity that Africa presents. The G20 leaders agreed on the need for increased global investment for climate action. This will be crucial for South Africa as we undertake a just energy transition to a low-carbon economy in a manner that protects workers, businesses and communities. As the G20, we have agreed on the need for scaled-up disaster prevention and post-disaster reconstruction to address the rising impact of extreme heat, floods, droughts and wildfires. We raised this issue because a few areas in our country, particularly the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, frequently experience disasters. We have secured international agreement on a new approach to critical minerals so that they become a source of prosperity and sustainable development in the countries that produce them. This supports our own ambition to use our extensive endowment of minerals to become a leading global player while ensuring that beneficiation takes place in South Africa and creates jobs in mining areas. This has been the People’s G20. It has given new prominence to engagement groups from across global society, bringing together sectors like business, labour, parliaments, scientists, think tanks, women, young people, start-ups, civil society, mayors and the media. We can be proud of what South Africa has achieved in hosting a successful G20 Presidency and guiding countries towards agreement on complex and important issues. This has been the historic effort to which all South Africans have contributed. We thank the many people who welcomed visitors to our country, and the security services who ensured that the G20 Leaders’ Summit and all G20 events took place without incident. We thank all the members of different social sectors who participated in the engagement groups and in other G20 activities throughout the year. We thank our Premiers and Mayors for having been such welcoming hosts. We thank our Ministers and Deputy Ministers, G20 Sherpas and government officials who guided the deliberations with wisdom and purpose. Above all, we thank each and every South African for contributing to this success, and for showing the world the strength of our values, the generosity of our people and the power of what we can achieve when we work together. Many of the foreign leaders and delegates who came to our country recognised what our Ubuntu spirit is all about. The success of the G20 Leader’s Summit, together with the improving performance of our economy and growing confidence in our reform programme, shows that South Africa is a country on the rise.