It is a hive of activity at the Sandton Convention Centre, as delegates arrive for the long-awaited edition of the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC).
Inside the venue, companies are exhibiting their products and services, while Cabinet Ministers, business leaders and company representatives gather ahead of the official formalities. More than 1 200 delegates are anticipated to attend the high-level gathering.
South Africa is hosting its sixth Investment Conference, the country’s flagship platform to position itself as a credible, competitive and forward-looking investment destination in a rapidly changing global economy.
Held under the theme: ‘Invest. Partner. Prosper’, the conference brings together government, global investors, development finance institutions and strategic partners to advance investment-led growth and strengthen South Africa’s role as a gateway for investment into the African continent.
The conference aligns with commitments made by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the 2026 State of the Nation Address, with government aiming to set a more ambitious investment target over the medium-term.
Structured as a comprehensive investment platform, SAIC is designed to move from reform credibility to investor confidence, and from deployable opportunities to long-term global partnerships. The approach seeks to align South Africa’s domestic development priorities with international investment interests.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said efforts to mobilise investment into the country are ongoing.
“We have international delegations coming to South Africa, with the recognition that South Africa is an investment destination, and that it is a place where they can do business,” Magwenya said on Tuesday.
He emphasised that investment mobilisation is a continuous process.
The 2026 conference marks a shift from high-level planning to a more focused phase of implementation, as government accelerates delivery on existing investment commitments.
Government is targeting an additional R2 trillion in investment commitments over the next five years. This builds on the first five conferences, which secured a combined R1.5 trillion in pledges, with more than R600 billion already invested in the economy.
These investments have supported the establishment of new factories, mines and industrial facilities, contributing to job creation, poverty reduction and efforts to address inequality.
Held under the framework of the “3Ds” - Digitisation, Decarbonisation and Diversification - the conference highlights opportunities in technology, clean energy and expanded trade partnerships across the African continent.
The event also serves as the launch platform for South Africa’s Second Investment Drive and aligns with the priorities of the 7th Administration, which include inclusive economic growth, employment creation, infrastructure development and economic reform.
The conference takes place amid improved investor confidence, supported by progress in key structural reforms, such as enhanced energy reliability, infrastructure development and broader economic recovery initiatives.
Launched in 2018 by President Ramaphosa, SAIC has become a central platform for attracting both global and domestic investors to explore emerging opportunities in South Africa.
The 2026 conference occurs during a period of significantly improved investor perception. Over the last 18 to 24 months, several critical economic challenges have been addressed, most notably the improvement in the country’s energy reliability. – SAnews.gov.za
