Sandton: President Cyril Ramaphosa has credited a deepening partnership between government and the private sector as a key driver of South Africa's economic recovery and reform momentum. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference in Sandton on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa said collaboration across business, labour, and government has become a defining feature of the country's growth strategy.
According to South African Government News Agency, the President emphasized the instrumental role of business in supporting reforms, investment, and job creation. He reflected on how this partnership has evolved since 2019, when the government extended 'the hand of partnership' to the private sector, resulting in billions of rands in investment pledges and coordinated efforts to stabilize and grow the economy.
Joint initiatives such as the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, have brought together stakeholders to support economic recovery and protect jobs. Business has also played a central role in employment creation, with more than 200,000 work opportunities generated for young people through the Youth Employment Service.
President Ramaphosa highlighted that this collaboration has extended into key reform areas, including energy security, logistics performance, and crime prevention, under the Government Business Partnership currently in its third phase. He described the partnership as a uniquely South African approach to mobilizing the skills, energy, and talent within the country.
The President also outlined the government's intensified efforts to tackle crime and corruption, long seen as barriers to investment. This includes strengthening institutions such as the Special Investigating Unit and the National Prosecuting Authority. A new criminal justice reform initiative, modeled on Operation Vulindlela, will soon be launched to target organized crime, corruption, and the illicit economy.
In addition, new regulations under the Public Procurement Act are expected to be finalized this year to enhance transparency and accountability in state spending. President Ramaphosa acknowledged the country's difficult past, including the era of state capture and economic stagnation, but noted meaningful progress in rebuilding institutions and restoring confidence.
He urged investors to view South Africa not only as a destination for capital but as a long-term partner in development, emphasizing that investments are in a nation determined to grow, transform, and succeed. As the conference concluded, the President called on stakeholders to sustain momentum and work collectively to achieve faster, more inclusive growth.
The President extended his gratitude to the sponsors of the conference, including Afreximbank, Anglo American, African Rainbow Minerals, Coca-Cola, The Development Bank of Southern Africa, DP World, Eskom, Google, MTN, Naspers, The National Empowerment Fund, Transnet, South 32, Uber, and Vodacom. He also thanked the Department of Trade and Industry, led by Minister Tau, the leadership of InvestSA, Infrastructure South Africa, the Industrial Development Corporation, Brand SA, Transnet, and all partners for their hard work.