Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reaffirmed South Africa's position as a leading investment destination.
Speaking at the business gala dinner of the sixth South Africa Investment Conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening, Deputy President Mashatile stressed that a strong partnership between government and the private sector is central to the country's economic recovery and growth.
He said the conference once again reaffirmed that South Africa's development and recovery depends on a strong partnership between government, business, labor and society.
The Vice President said, “What made this day truly extraordinary was the unity seen among our partners and the way our countries spoke with one voice. The voice of reform, the voice of resilience and the voice ready to explore new frontiers of investment.”
He said the investment conference, which was first launched in 2018 under President Cyril Ramaphosa, was designed as an outcome-driven platform to mobilize investment and promote implementation rather than “talk shop”.
He said the focus has now decisively shifted from commitments to implementation.
As President Cyril Ramaphosa said, South Africa stands at the crossroads of turning investment conference pledges into projects on the ground.
“That is why our focus has decisively shifted from commitments to implementation, from policy intent to measurable outcomes,” the Vice President said.
Reforms and resilience boost investor confidence
The Vice President highlighted that South Africa offers a compelling investment case based on economic resilience, institutional reforms and policy certainty.
He said investors are increasingly looking for destinations that are flexible, reliable and reform-oriented, which South Africa embodies.
He said the country's progress in structural reforms has strengthened its investment appeal. Through initiatives such as Operation Vulindela, the government has unlocked grid access, streamlined water licensing, opened freight logistics to private participation, and reformed visas to boost tourism.
“Our financial governance has been strengthened, leading to our first sovereign credit rating upgrade in almost two decades and removal from the FATF gray list.
“These reforms are not abstract policy. They are the lived reality of investors, workers and communities,” he said.
South Africa has also strengthened financial governance, achieved a sovereign credit rating upgrade and exited the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list, further boosting investor confidence.
R1.5 trillion in commitments
Deputy President Mashatile said the country has already secured R1.5 trillion in investment commitments between 2018 and 2023, exceeding the initial target.
More than R600 billion of this has been translated into projects across sectors including mining, manufacturing, technology and services.
“Jobs have been created, communities have been uplifted and industries have been modernized,” he said.
He said the existing investment pipeline worth R284.8 billion across 66 projects shows that capital is already flowing into the economy.
“This is not a promise, this is a plan,” he said.
Africa is at the heart of South Africa's development strategy
The Deputy President stressed that South Africa's economic future is closely linked to that of the wider African continent, with regional integration seen as key to unlocking growth.
He highlighted the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area in creating a single market of 1.4 billion people and deepening industrialization.
He also reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to strengthening regional blocs such as the Southern African Customs Union and the Southern African Development Community, which together provide significant potential for cross-border investment and industrial expansion.
“Africa's unity presents a strategic opportunity in a changing global economy,” he said.
The Vice President pointed to major opportunities in energy, critical minerals and digital infrastructure, describing them as key drivers of competitiveness.
He said South Africa is pursuing an accelerated energy transition including renewable energy, green hydrogen and battery storage, as well as expanding digital infrastructure through broadband, fintech and artificial intelligence.
These sectors, including agricultural technology, tourism and manufacturing, were highlighted as priority areas for investment throughout the conference.
Call for continued partnership
Vice President Mashatile concluded by urging investors to follow through on commitments and work with the government to deliver concrete results.
“Let us commit not just to investment, but to building industries, creating jobs and shaping the future. Together, we can turn commitments into factories, agreements into technologies and announcements into livelihoods.” – sanews.gov.za