Johannesburg: South Africa is finally turning the corner on slow growth. Thanks to the government's pro-growth reformist agenda, green shoots are emerging in nearly all key sectors of the economy, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said on Monday.
According to South African Government News Agency, consistent energy supply and an improved transport and logistics environment, coupled with a drop in inflation to 3.5% recorded early this year, have positively impacted key sectors of the economy. Mining and Agriculture have both shown strong growth, which bodes well for sustained economic expansion, Tau said in a statement.
The Minister emphasized that four consecutive quarters of growth recorded leading into early 2026 were a result of government-led interventions, particularly the successful investment mobilisation drive. To further augment this growth, South Africa is scheduled to host the 6th Investment Conference (SAIC) at the Sandton Convention Centre on 31 March 2026. In line with the President's 2026 State of the Nation Address commitment, the conference aims to set even bolder investment targets over the medium term.
To date, over R600 billion has already flowed into the economy, leading to the opening of new factories, mines, and various other industrial facilities. These investments play a critical role in South Africa's national goals of socio-economic development by creating sustainable jobs, reducing poverty, and addressing inequality, Tau added.
Launched in 2018 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the SAIC has become the country's premier platform for attracting global and domestic delegates to discuss emerging opportunities. The 2026 conference occurs during a period of significantly improved investor perception, following the resolution of several critical economic challenges, most notably the improvement in the country's energy reliability.
Tau stressed that the forthcoming conference will focus on South Africa's new future-oriented economic and industrial policy, including targets in the Medium Term Development Plan, the Economic Growth and Inclusion (GAIN) programme, and South Africa's New Industrial Policy, which is being finalized. He reinforced that the 6th SAIC will continue building on the achievements of the dtic family since the beginning of the seventh administration.
Over the past year and a half, industrial reforms in targeted sectors have been implemented, incentivising industry to create jobs. Efforts have been made toward market and export diversification through the Butterfly Strategy, and Transformation is being redesigned through the Transformation Fund and B-BBEE policy review, Tau noted.