Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi outline significant investment inflows, infrastructure expansion and economic recovery initiatives aimed at boosting job creation and strengthening Gauteng’s position as South Africa’s economic hub.
He was delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Nasrec Expo Centre,
He ssid the province has secured R27 billion in Foreign Direct Investment from countries including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Australia, Cyprus, the United States and the United Arab Emirates, reinforcing international confidence in Gauteng as the country’s primary industrial and investment centre.
Lesufi said the provincial government has honoured its commitment to attract new investments that support sustainable employment.
Key highlights include:
- R312 billion pledged at the inaugural Gauteng Investment Conference, with R73 billion now moving to implementation, expected to create 114 000 jobs.
- Gauteng secured over R180 billion from the Presidential Investment Conference.
- A R7 billion waste-to-energy project in Johannesburg in partnership with the Netherlands.
- A R2.2 billion electrical appliance manufacturing investment in Ekurhuleni, creating 3 000 jobs.
- Chery Automobile manufacturing locally to protect jobs and expand employment.
- Heineken’s R1.9 billion Midvaal investment supporting agriculture and job seekers.
- Microsoft’s R5.4 billion data centre expansion in the Midrand–Centurion corridor.
- Chung Fung Metal’s R2.5 billion steel plant, creating over 1 000 jobs.
- The proposed DRI steel plant in Lesedi and the Gauteng Dry Port project expected to create tens of thousands of jobs.
- Industrial growth through the Tshwane Automotive SEZ, Vaal SEZ and Tambo Springs SEZ.
- The Lanseria Smart City’s Cradle Film Studios project expected to create 15 000 jobs.
- Haier–Kwikot’s R2.4 billion investment in Benoni securing more than 700 jobs.
Combined, these projects are expected to support approximately 250 000 jobs, particularly benefiting young people.
Lesufi also announced the relaunch of Action Labs for 12 high-growth sectors to convert development plans into bankable projects and attract further investment.
Tourism growth was another highlight, with international arrivals rising to 3.8 million, generating a record R41 billion in revenue. New air routes from FlyGabon, Qantas and United Airlines are expanding access to Central Africa, North America and Australasia.
On infrastructure, the province is advancing transport upgrades, assuming responsibility for e-toll debt to ease the burden on motorists, and planning Gautrain expansion routes to Soweto, Mamelodi, Springs, Atteridgeville and Fourways.
Lesufi said coordinated infrastructure development, investment attraction and improved local governance remain central to driving economic growth and improving residents’ quality of life.
