Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile says R81 billion in private sector investment pledges has already been translated into tangible projects through public-private partnerships in the province.
Maile was speaking at the launch of the Gauteng City Region Economic Growth and Development Plan 2030 in Parktown, where government outlined its roadmap to accelerate economic recovery, attract investment and stimulate job creation.
He confirmed that the province is beginning to see movement from commitments made at last year’s investment drive.
“April we’ve got the second instalment of the Investment Conference, and we will account for the work we have done since last year,” said Maile. “About R81 billion of the R312 billion has already been converted from pledges into actual projects. That is the immediate progress, and we are continuing to engage with different sectors.”
The inaugural Gauteng Investment Conference held in April 2025 secured R312.5 billion in pledges—surpassing its R300 billion target. The commitments span more than 60 projects across key sectors including agro-processing, transport and aviation, and are expected to generate over 114,000 jobs. To date, around 28% of those pledges have moved into implementation.
While the conversion of pledges into bankable projects is often seen as a critical test of investment credibility, Maile’s update suggests early traction in turning commitments into real economic activity. However, the pace of implementation will remain under scrutiny as the province battles sluggish growth, high unemployment and infrastructure constraints.
Chief Director for Economic Planning in the department, Dr Barbara Ziyane, says the success of the broader economic plan will depend on execution and creating a more enabling business environment.
“If we implement everything that we are saying we are going to implement, and ensure that it becomes easier to do business in the province, the economy could grow by more than 3.5%,” she said. “That means more jobs and more sustainable businesses.”
The Gauteng City Region Economic Growth and Development Plan 2030 is positioned as a long-term framework to coordinate infrastructure investment, improve logistics networks and unlock industrial development. Provincial leaders argue that easing bottlenecks such as traffic congestion, energy supply challenges and regulatory inefficiencies will be key to achieving inclusive growth.
The upcoming investment conference is expected to provide further detail on project rollouts, timelines and sector-specific opportunities offering a clearer picture of whether Gauteng can sustain investor confidence and translate pledges into lasting economic gains.
