Sandton: South Africa has entered a new phase of growth, with the country securing the highest-ever investment commitments at the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC).
According to South African Government News Agency, closing the conference in Sandton on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the scale of pledges, both in value and number of projects, marked a significant milestone since the launch of the investment drive in 2018. The cumulative value of the pledges made at this conference is the highest achieved since the first South Africa Investment Conference, also representing the highest number of projects.
Much of this is domestic capital, demonstrating the strong and growing confidence of South African investors in the country’s economy. The large share of commitments from domestic investors was complemented by a rise in foreign direct investment and participation from development finance institutions.
President Ramaphosa noted that the breadth of investments across all nine provinces indicates that growth is increasingly distributed across the country’s economic landscape. Major announcements included a R10.4 billion investment by Toyota in KwaZulu-Natal to support the automotive sector’s energy transition, while Sasol committed R60 billion to modernising operations in Mpumalanga and the Free State.
Other investments span mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, and global business services. Projects are expected to create thousands of jobs, such as Teleperformance’s R145 million investment set to generate 2,600 employment opportunities. These investments affirm the potential of all provinces as growth engines.
Beyond the figures, President Ramaphosa highlighted South Africa’s structural advantages, including a sophisticated financial sector, advanced infrastructure, renewable energy resources, and a youthful population. He underscored the importance of the country’s constitutional democracy and the rule of law as key factors for investor confidence.
While acknowledging the improved sentiment, the President cautioned that the country must translate commitments into tangible economic activity. He emphasized the need to carry forward the momentum and turn commitments into projects on the ground to translate plans into progress.
The President reiterated the government’s ambition to double fixed investment levels over time as part of efforts to unlock faster and more inclusive economic growth. He concluded by expressing optimism for South Africa’s economic potential and inviting investors to join in the journey of growth and change until the next investment conference.