President Cyril Ramaphosa has credited the deep partnership between government and the private sector as a key driver of South Africa's economic recovery and the pace of reform.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference in Sandton on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa said collaboration between business, labor and government has become a defining feature of the country's development strategy.
“This contribution is not peripheral, but vital,” he said, referring to the role of business in supporting reforms, investment and job creation.
The President reflected on how this partnership has evolved since 2019, when the government extended a “partnership hand” to the private sector, a move that has since translated into investment promises worth billions of rands and coordinated efforts to stabilize and grow the economy.
He pointed to joint initiatives such as the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brings together stakeholders to support economic recovery and protect jobs.
Business has also played a central role in job creation, with over 200,000 work opportunities created for young people through the Youth Employment Service.
President Ramaphosa said this cooperation has expanded to key reform areas including energy security, logistics performance and crime prevention under the Government Business Partnership, currently in its third phase.
“This collaboration reflects a deep and mature partnership and a uniquely South African approach to mobilizing the skills, energy and talent we have in abundance,” he said.
The President also underlined the government's intensified efforts to tackle crime and corruption, long seen as barriers to investment, including strengthening institutions such as the Special Investigation Unit and the National Prosecuting Authority.
A new criminal justice reform initiative based on Operation Vulindlela will soon be launched to target organized crime, corruption and the illicit economy.
Additionally, new rules under the Public Procurement Act to increase transparency and accountability in state spending are expected to be finalized this year.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged the country's difficult past, including an era of state capture and economic stagnation, but said meaningful progress had been made in rebuilding institutions and restoring trust.
“Today, green shoots of renewal are emerging. We have turned a corner. Our task now is to build on this progress, creating a dynamic and thriving economy and a more inclusive society.
“We will not rest until this is accomplished and every South African enjoys the benefits of economic progress,” he said.
He urged investors to view South Africa not only as a destination for capital, but as a long-term partner in development.
President Ramaphosa said, “You are not just investing in an economy, you are investing in a nation that is committed to growing, changing and succeeding.”
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As the conference concluded, the President called on stakeholders to maintain the momentum and work collectively to achieve faster, more inclusive growth.
“This is just the beginning. We still have a long way to go,” he said.
The President expressed his gratitude to the sponsors of the conference, which include 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 thanked the Minister Tau-led Department of Trade and Industry, the leadership of InvestSA, Infrastructure South Africa, the Industrial Development Corporation, Brand SA, Transnet and all our partners for their hard work. – sanews.gov.za