The Gauteng provincial government and the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) are preparing for the second edition of the Gauteng Investment Conference, to be held on April 9, with ambitions of attracting billions of rands in investment into South Africa’s most populous province.

The 2026 edition of the Gauteng Investment Conference aims to build on the momentum of the inaugural conference last year, elevating its model to unlock R200-billion in investment and fortify Gauteng’s standing as the top sub-national investment destination in Africa, a status underpinned by credibility, project preparedness and execution.

Through the GGDA, the 2025 conference secured R312.5-billion in pledges – above a target of R300-billion – with 28% of the commitments converted into active implementation during the year, unlocking R73-billion through 17 of the 60 projects being rolled out.

Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile, said during the launch at the JSE on February 17 that the inaugural conference demonstrated Gauteng’s ability to attract investment and build trust with investors.

“One of the biggest outcomes was the wide range of commitments across sectors that matter to our province, from agroprocessing 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 the people.”

In 2025, it was demonstrated that Gauteng can mobilise capital, while in 2026 the aim is to show that the province can successfully convert capital into projects, accelerate delivery and convert intent into implementation, while creating jobs and growing the province’s economy.

“We have moved from pledges to projects. These are not theoretical commitments but real investments creating jobs, expanding infrastructure and driving energy developments. This conversion rate is central to our credibility.

“The 2026 edition of the conference focuses strongly on pledge-to-project conversion, aftercare and on-the-ground delivery, with ambitions of securing another R200-billion in investment.

“This target is not aspirational. It is pipeline-backed and supported by structured engagement with investors, development finance institutions and sector leaders,” said Maile, noting that structured, bankable catalytic projects, aligned to corridor-based development, all supported by feasibility studies, regulatory alignment and institutional banking support, will be showcased.

“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, agroprocessing, green hydrogen and financial services, to strengthen collaboration with both local and international partners.”

Key catalytic projects include the Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network extensions, Lanseria Smart City, the Aerotropolis around OR Tambo International Airport, the West Rand Special Economic Zone (SEZ) expansion, and the proposed Vaal SEZ focused on steel revitalisation and green hydrogen.

Maile said the Gauteng Investment Conference serves as a catalyst – not just an additional initiative – as it is a platform that integrates project preparation, investor engagement, intergovernmental coordination and capital mobilisation across strategic pillars, and brings visibility, structure and accountability to the provincial investment pipeline.

The conference is not a symbolic gathering; rather, it is a tactical intervention that accelerates project preparation, attracts private investment and strengthens intergovernmental coordination, ensuring that pledges convert into projects.

“In short, the Gauteng Investment Conference 2026 aims to strengthen the entire investment lifecycle and, building on the momentum of 2025, we are institutionalising marketing, origination, facilitation and delivery.

“We are also placing municipalities at the centre of this model, as urban planning, infrastructure approvals and special coordination largely sit at local level. For investment to flow at scale, municipalities must therefore be active partners in project preparation and execution,” he added.

Johannesburg Finance MMC Loyiso Masuku noted that the launch took place at a critical juncture for the country’s financial capital, which is navigating a challenging macroeconomic environment, including sluggish economic growth, a constrained public purse and overstretched infrastructure that requires about R100-billion to refurbish and expand.

“Cities sit at the frontline of these pressures. Johannesburg, as the economic heart of the country, feels them most acutely. But we also recognise that cities are where recovery begins. When Johannesburg grows, South Africa grows,” she said, noting that the initiatives have put the city on a path to recovery.

“Through intergovernmental collaboration through the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group, through disciplined financial management and through a pipeline of bankable infrastructure projects, the city is building the foundations for long-term growth.”