South Africa's Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, has called for stronger collaboration between government and business to drive reindustrialization, calling partnerships central to economic growth and job creation.
Speaking at the Gauteng Investment Conference 2026 in Johannesburg on Thursday, April 9, Mashatile said rebuilding industrial capacity should include long-term collaboration, skills development and support for local enterprises.
“Re-industrialization is a practical, visionary strategy. It recognizes that productive capacity is the foundation of sustained growth”, he said, adding that it should provide technology-driven factories, expanded production and “decent jobs on a large scale”.
He stressed that the government should play a catalytic role by reducing investment risks through policy certainty, regulatory efficiency and better coordination while mobilizing private capital along with development finance institutions.
Mashatile highlighted infrastructure as a key enabler, noting that reliable energy, efficient logistics, water security and digital systems are essential for industrial expansion. “Industrialization cannot happen without reliable energy, efficient logistics, water security and modern digital infrastructure,” he said. He also pointed to the growing importance of digital industries, including data centres, artificial intelligence and fintech, positioning Gauteng as a potential leader in this emerging sector.
On regional trade, Mashatile said the African Continental Free Trade Area offers an opportunity to strengthen intra-African trade and develop regional value chains across the continent. “Africa is resource-rich but value-chain poor. We export raw materials and import finished goods,” he said, urging a shift toward production and innovation.
The conference, which brings together global investors, African governments and financial institutions, is part of South Africa's broader strategy to attract investment and promote inclusive economic growth.
Organizers say the initiative builds on the inaugural 2025 event, which secured pledges of R312 billion, and aims to attract R800 billion in new investment over three years, reinforcing Gauteng's ambition to establish itself as Africa's leading investment hub.