South Africa is preparing to launch its most ambitious investment mobilisation drive yet, with President Cyril Ramaphosa setting a new target of R2 trillion in private-sector commitments by 2028.
The announcement comes ahead of the sixth South Africa Investment Conference in Sandton, where government officials and business leaders are expected to outline new opportunities across infrastructure, energy, mining and logistics.
According to Ramaphosa, the new target builds on the success of the country’s first investment campaign, launched in 2018, which initially aimed to attract R1.2 trillion.
By the close of the first five-year cycle in 2024, South Africa had secured investment pledges worth R1.57 trillion, exceeding its original goal by 26%.
More than 300 projects were initiated during that period, with 161 either completed or currently under construction.
Reforms begin to reshape investor confidence
The president said the country’s reform agenda is beginning to show measurable results.
Through Operation Vulindlela, South Africa has introduced structural changes designed to improve the investment climate, particularly in sectors long seen as barriers to growth.
These reforms include major interventions in electricity generation, freight logistics, telecommunications, water infrastructure and visa administration.
One of the most significant developments has been the effective suspension of prolonged load shedding, a factor that had weighed heavily on investor confidence for years.
Government has also accelerated efforts to open the freight rail network to private operators, with 41 rail slots already allocated to third-party companies.
Visa reforms aimed at boosting tourism and attracting foreign skills have also been rolled out, including the Remote Work Visa, the Trusted Employer Scheme and a pilot Electronic Travel Authorisation system.
These policy changes are intended to strengthen South Africa’s position as a gateway investment hub for the African continent.
Major projects signal shift from pledges to implementation
Ramaphosa pointed to several large-scale projects as evidence that earlier commitments are translating into physical development.
Among the flagship examples is the 25-year concession agreement for Durban Container Terminal Pier 2, representing R11 billion in private investment.
Additional progress has been recorded in mining and manufacturing.
The Platreef Mine project in Limpopo, backed by Ivanhoe Mines, stems from a R2.8 billion investment commitment, while BMW’s Rosslyn plant in Tshwane has received R4.2 billion for electrification upgrades tied to hybrid vehicle production.
The president said the next phase of the strategy will focus less on headline pledges and more on implementation, execution and economic impact.
This shift is particularly significant as South Africa continues to battle high unemployment, sluggish growth and persistent fiscal pressure.
International institutions including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have repeatedly stressed that reforms must move beyond policy design and deliver real outcomes.
Historically, South Africa has announced multiple investment initiatives over the past decade, but execution delays have often limited their broader economic effect.
The new R2 trillion target is therefore being viewed as both an economic milestone and a critical test of implementation capacity.
Ramaphosa said South Africa’s message to investors is clear: the country is moving decisively from commitments to delivery.
Source: South African Presidency weekly public letter / SAIC briefing
