The Gauteng Investment Conference, to be held on April 3, in Melrose, will focus on public-private infrastructure investment, advanced manufacturing, green and renewable energy, ICT and data infrastructure, transport and logistics, smart property development and urban regeneration, tourism and the creative economy.

The conference aims to attract around R300-billion in new investment pledges, part of securing R800-billion in investment pledges over the next three to five years, “as investment in these sectors offers the most reliable instrument for ensuring sustainable development,” said Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile on April 2.

The conference has secured more than 50 companies and 900 attendees – 500 in person and 400 online.

In 2024, the province secured R25.6-billion in new investments across priority sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, ICT, tourism and green energy.

The conference aims to capitalise on and drive the province's economic momentum, and aligns with Gauteng's broader regional integration goals, he noted.

The conference sessions will include policy makers, investors, business leaders and industry experts. This is done to ensure that the conference concludes with tangible and applicable outcomes, Maile said.

Further, as part of its tracking and monitoring work, the Gauteng Finance and Economic Development Department will work with the Gordon Institute of Business Science to develop a report of the conference, he noted.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will brief attendees on the 'Unlocking Gauteng's Economic Potential - A National Priority' economic plan for the province during his keynote address.

A panel discussion prior to this will see private-sector practitioners, State-owned enterprise leaders and policy makers discuss 'Driving Gauteng's Competitiveness through Infrastructure'.

During the afternoon, four parallel-running sessions will discuss infrastructure investment and public-private partnerships; revitalising Gauteng's advanced manufacturing sector; enhancing the province's logistics and transport infrastructure; and developing its tourism and creative economy.

Maile will give a summary of the pledges secured by the conference and the way forward, including the subsequent investment conferences planned.

“There have been some pledges made prior to the conference. We have formed partnerships with companies from across the globe, and will be announcing confirmed private-sector investment pledges for infrastructure projects that are shovel-ready and geared for high-impact outcomes that contribute to job creation, township development and youth skills development.

“We will provide the specific figures and sectors tomorrow, but about 58 companies have made pledges. We hope that next year at the next conference we will not only sign pledges but also sign deals,” Maile said.