South Africa positioned as prime destination amid global uncertainty
President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined a compelling case for investing in South Africa, emphasising the country's unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility and an accelerating reform agenda as the nation prepares to host the South African Investment Conference (SAIC) at the Sandton Convention Centre on Tuesday.
The annual gathering, regarded as the country's foremost platform for attracting capital and converting investment pledges into real economic outcomes such as job creation, is expected to draw more than 1 000 delegates from approximately 50 nations this year.
In his weekly newsletter released ahead of the event, the President stressed that the conference arrives at a critical juncture for the nation's economic ambitions.
"This year's investment conference stands at the crossroads of opportunity and ambition. The clear message we will be delivering is that we remain committed to staying the course on fiscal discipline, to accelerating the momentum of the reform agenda – and to leveraging investment to build an economy that is inclusive, transformed and that benefits all."
Ramaphosa described South Africa as Africa's largest economy with a diversified industrial base, noting that since the inaugural R1.2 trillion investment mobilisation drive launched in 2018, the country has attracted pledges spanning mining, healthcare, automotive, food and beverage, and other sectors. He further highlighted that South Africa leads the continent in renewable energy investment, with these commitments forming a substantial portion of total pledges from previous conferences.
Reform momentum and economic recovery strengthen the case
The President pointed to emerging signs of economic revival as further evidence of South Africa's improving prospects. He noted that the country recorded four consecutive quarters of growth by the close of 2025, national debt has been stabilised, and employment figures are on the rise. In a significant milestone, South Africa's sovereign rating was upgraded for the first time in 17 years, while the country was also removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.
Structural reforms driven through Operation Vulindlela have yielded progress across electricity supply, freight logistics, water infrastructure, telecommunications, and the visa system. Load-shedding has been brought to an end, and a new competitive electricity market is being established to guarantee energy security and draw further capital into the sector. In the logistics space, private sector participation is being enabled through major projects including the Ngqura Manganese Export Corridor in the Eastern Cape and the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal in KwaZulu-Natal. A landmark 25-year concession for the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2, worth R11 billion in private investment, was signed last year, while 41 freight rail slots have been allocated to private operators under a third-party access framework.
Visa reforms aimed at attracting skilled workers and boosting tourism have also been rolled out, including the operationalisation of a Remote Work Visa, a Trusted Employer Scheme for major investors, and a pilot Electronic Travel Authorisation system.
"The macroeconomic outlook has improved. We experienced four consecutive quarters of growth by the end of 2025, national debt has stabilised and more jobs are being created. Last year, our sovereign rating was upgraded for the first time in 17 years, and we were removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list."
The initial five-year investment mobilisation cycle surpassed its R1.2 trillion target, ultimately securing approximately R1.57 trillion in commitments. Of the roughly 300 projects initiated, 161 have either been completed or remain under construction. Ramaphosa cited the Platreef Mine in Mokopane, Limpopo, which employs over 2 000 local workers and is partly community-owned, as a direct result of a R2.8 billion pledge by Ivanhoe Mines at the 2022 conference. He also referenced BMW's R4.2 billion investment at its Rosslyn plant in Tshwane, where the manufacturer is preparing to produce the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid electric vehicle at its sole African production facility.
"The pledges have not been merely vague commitments and promises, but have materialised as tangible, brick-and-mortar projects that are creating jobs for our people."
As final preparations for Tuesday's conference are completed, the administration has made clear that its focus rests firmly on delivery rather than announcements. South Africa has set an ambitious new target of mobilising R2 trillion in fresh investment by 2028, banking on its reform track record and favourable investment proposition to achieve that goal.
South Africa's push to attract R2 trillion in new investment by 2028 carries significant implications for job creation and economic growth at a time when many citizens face unemployment and rising living costs. The conference's ability to convert pledges into operational projects will determine whether communities in provinces like Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal see tangible benefits. Success hinges on sustained reform momentum, particularly in energy and logistics, where private sector participation could reshape the country's economic landscape.
