The sixth annual South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) comes at a time when the South African government is poised to accelerate economic growth, turn pledges into shovel-ready projects and improve the lives of all South Africans.
This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who set the tone for SAIC 2026 in his opening address on Tuesday.
SAIC is South Africa’s premier and high-level platform to mobilise investment, showcase opportunities within the borders of the country, and translate investments into tangible outcomes, such as employment.
“This sixth South Africa Investment Conference stands at the crossroads of opportunity and ambition, ready to turn pledges into projects on the ground. The shift in our economic trajectory that we are witnessing now is the result of deliberate, sustained structural reform being driven by Operation Vulindlela.
“Operation Vulindlela, which means “to open the way”, is a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury, working together with other government departments to drive the implementation of far-reaching economic reforms for more rapid growth.
“Its mandate is simple: to reduce the cost and risk of investing in South Africa; not through speeches but through measurable implementation,” President Ramaphosa stated.
Stating the case
The President told delegates that South Africa is an investment destination of choice – citing the resilience of the economy as one of the reasons.
“Today, South Africa is the largest, most industrialised, open and diverse economy on the African continent. Our economy is dynamic, enterprising, and is finely calibrated for growth and powered by innovation.
“We have an economy that has proven itself to be remarkably resilient. It weathered the transition from apartheid, the global financial crisis, years of State capture, a debilitating energy crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic," President Ramaphosa said.
Furthermore, the President highlighted that South Africa’s economy has “maintained core financial and institutional stability”, despite strong headwinds.
“This year’s South Africa Investment Conference takes place against a backdrop of growth and recovery. Investment conferences such as this are an opportunity for us to showcase the attractiveness of investment opportunities in our country to domestic and international investors.
“By connecting investors with local opportunities, we are able to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). They also facilitate strong partnerships by bringing together governments, business, banks and development finance institutions,” he said.
President Ramaphosa noted that as the more than 1 000 guests gathered for the conference, uncertainty reigns in the global economy.
“Geopolitical fragmentation, supply chain disruptions from conflicts and wars and trade tensions are radically impacting global capital flows,” he said.
In these conditions, the President added that South Africa presents a “favourable proposition as a resilient, credible and reform-oriented investment destination with strong fundamentals”.
“Your presence here today signals that as investors, you see what we see: real and enduring potential, long-term value and untapped opportunity.
“Today, we have with us more than 1 000 delegates from more than 50 countries, who believe in South Africa’s potential and see this as a favourable place to invest and do business.
“You are here because you want to be part of our growth story,” President Ramaphosa said.
Attracting investment
During the first iteration of the SAIC’s investment cycle, companies pledged some R1.5 trillion in investments – exceeding the R1.2 trillion target set by the President in 2018.
The commitments were in various sectors, including energy, telecommunications, infrastructure and mining.
“This proved that South Africa is an investable market and ready for business. Our investment strategy is anchored in sectors that will drive growth and create jobs at scale, including manufacturing, mining beneficiation, digital infrastructure, agriculture, and green industrialisation.
“This sixth [SAIC] is being convened under the 3 D’s framework, namely: Decarbonisation, Digitisation and Diversification, with the 'Ease of Doing Business' being a cross-cutting theme,” President Ramaphosa explained.
During this iteration, government is targeting pledges of some R2 trillion over the next five years.
“This is not ambition for its own sake. It is the arithmetic of what South Africa requires to achieve meaningful unemployment reduction, to industrialise at scale, to lead Africa’s green transition and to build the infrastructure on which our people’s futures depend. We do so with a keen appreciation of the current state of foreign direct investment (FDI).
“Although we remain a significant continental player, accounting for between 15 and 20% of Africa’s total FDI, our growth depends heavily on domestic investment.
“The opening position of the second drive is the R415 billion confirmed fixed investment and R 474.8 billion in FDI being announced in this room today. That brings the total to R 889.8 billion. That’s 81 projects, nine provinces, 22 source markets, and over 230 000 permanent jobs,” President Ramaphosa announced.
Rounding up his remarks, the President dubbed the second investment cycle as a the start of an “era of new growth and dynamism for South Africa’s economy”.
“The accountability framework is unchanged from the first drive. Every investment announcement is vetted and signed and represents a firm commitment by the business leaders in this room. Every year, we will report back on what has been promised and what has been delivered.
"As we seek to deepen our trade and investment relations, we remain committed to maintaining policy certainty and to accelerating the momentum of the structural reform agenda.
“We are a country in the throes of reform. We are creating the conditions for investment–led growth that is broad–based, inclusive, and durable. Let us move forward together – with confidence, with partnership, and with a shared commitment to South Africa’s success,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
