Gauteng Investment Conference 2026: Building on R300 billion commitments from 2025

Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile said that pledges of over R300 billion from the 2025 Gauteng Investment Conference have moved from pledges to development. Maile was speaking on Tuesday at a launch event for the 2026 Gauteng Investment Conference at Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) with the conference scheduled to take place later this year.

Maile added that when they hosted the first Gauteng Investment Conference (GIC) on April 3, 2025, their goal was simple: to show that Gauteng is a serious, action-driven destination for investment. “The GIC 2025 had a significant impact as over 1,800 people participated and R312.5 billion in investment pledges were secured, which demonstrated Gauteng’s ability to attract investment and build trust with investors.”

Maile said one of the biggest outcomes was the wide range of commitments across sectors that matter to our province, from agro-processing and transport infrastructure to property development and aviation.

“We expect these pledges to collectively support over 114,000 jobs and create significant economic opportunities for our people. A standout example is the continued growth of the OR Tambo International Airport precinct, which is becoming a hub for manufacturing, logistics, and inclusive growth in our region,” he said.

Maile added that he is pleased to report that they have moved decisively from pledges to projects, as of this month, 28 percent of the pledges secured in 2025 have already been converted into active implementation.

“Seventeen out of sixty projects are in rollout and this translates to R73 billion that has been unlocked for the real economy. This conversion rate is central to our credibility as it demonstrates that Gauteng does not treat investment mobilisation as an event-driven exercise but rather as a continuous life cycle, from origination and structuring to facilitation and delivery,” he said.

Maile said that GIC serves as a catalyst, not an additional initiative, as it is a platform that integrates project preparation, investor engagement, intergovernmental coordination, and capital mobilisation across their strategic pillars. “It achieves this by bringing visibility, structure, and accountability to the provincial investment pipeline. In doing so, the Gauteng Investment Conference accelerates delivery and converts intent into implementation, as it translates strategies into bankable projects, aligns provincial ambition with investor expectations, and ensures that economic policy matches execution.

Maile added that this approach strongly reinforces the objectives and ambitions of the Gauteng Economic Development Plan, which emphasises inclusive growth, industrial expansion, infrastructure acceleration, job creation, and long-term competitiveness.

“Our commitment to job creation, SME growth, and inclusive participation mirrors our investment criteria, which prioritise township revitalisation, youth employment, and local enterprise development. Equally, the emphasis on safety, governance, and institutional reform strengthens the enabling environment across Gauteng’s cities and industrial nodes,” he said.

Maile said that these are catalytic projects aligned to corridor-based development and industrial clustering. “Feasibility studies, regulatory alignment, and institutional backing support these initiatives. As we now prepare for the Gauteng Investment Conference 2026, we are elevating the model. Our goal is to fortify Gauteng's status as the top subnational investment destination in Africa, a status characterised by its credibility, project preparedness, and execution discipline.”

Maile added that they aim to secure R200 billion in new investment commitments. “This target is not aspirational; it is pipeline-backed and supported by structured engagement with investors, DFIs, and sector leaders; we seek to showcase high-growth sectors that align with global and continental trends, including advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, electric vehicle value chains, digital infrastructure, logistics, agro-processing, green hydrogen, and financial services.”

They aim to strengthen collaboration with both local and international partners.

“The Gauteng Investment Conference 2026 will bring together African governments, subnational leaders, global investors, development finance institutions, and private sector stakeholders in curated deal rooms and structured policy dialogues. In short, the Gauteng Investment Conference 2026 aims to strengthen the entire investment lifecycle, building on the momentum of 2025,” he said.

Maile added that in 2025, they demonstrated that Gauteng can mobilise capital and in 2026; they are showing that Gauteng can convert capital into projects, jobs leading to the growth of the economy.

“In 2026, the Gauteng Investment Conference will further demonstrate that capital mobilisation can be a permanent, structured part of how we drive economic development in our province and across the country, ” he said. 

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