Pretoria: The Gauteng Provincial Government has reaffirmed its commitment to economic growth through reindustrialisation and the inclusion of township and local enterprises in the mainstream economy.
According to South African Government News Agency, the province's economic strategies have yielded significant results, with Gauteng accounting for nearly 70% of national job gains over the past year. Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced that the province reached a record 5.24 million employed individuals, driven by growth in sectors such as construction, finance, and community services.
Gauteng attracted R27 billion in Foreign Direct Investment from countries including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, and the USA, highlighting its status as South Africa's primary investment hub. The Inaugural Gauteng Investment Conference secured R312 billion in investments, with R73 billion moving to implementation, creating 114,000 jobs across multiple sectors.
The City of Johannesburg partnered with the Netherlands on a R7 billion waste-to-energy project. In Ekurhuleni, a R2.2 billion investment in manufacturing electrical appliances is set to create 3,000 jobs. Chery International's local car manufacturing and Heineken's R1.9 billion investment in Midvaal are poised to bolster employment.
The province has also seen a R5.4 billion data centre expansion by Microsoft, a R2.5 billion investment by Chung Fung Metal, and the proposed DRI steel plant in Lesedi Municipality, promising significant job creation. The Gauteng Dry Port, with an investment of approximately R50 billion, is expected to generate 50,000 permanent jobs.
The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone secured R1.61 billion in investments, while the Vaal SEZ is projected to contribute over R10 billion to the economy. Lanseria Smart City secured R4 billion for a film production facility, expected to create 15,000 jobs, including 10,000 in film production.
The Tambo Springs SEZ is projected to support about 50,000 jobs, underpinned by a R23.6 billion investment. Haier-Kwikot's R2.4 billion investment in Benoni is set to secure more than 700 jobs.
Lesufi emphasized the importance of the Gauteng Economic Growth and Development Plan, which will formally launch action labs for 12 high-growth sectors in March 2026, aiming to drive foreign investment and job creation.
In tourism, Gauteng has secured new air routes with FlyGabon, Qantas Airlines, and United Airlines, enhancing access to Central Africa, North America, and Australasia. Transnet's partnership to construct an LNG import terminal at the Port of Richards Bay is set to supply gas to Gauteng, further fueling economic growth.
The Gautrain expansion and the Gauteng-Limpopo Provincial Rail Link speed train project have garnered significant investor interest, with plans to expand infrastructure and create jobs.
However, the province must address challenges such as the illicit trade affecting companies like British American Tobacco. The government is intensifying efforts to protect the manufacturing and retail sectors, with counterfeit goods worth R250.2 million confiscated last year.