Ekurhuleni: The City of Ekurhuleni is expected to hold the Ekurhuleni Investment Conference 2024 from Tuesday. The conference will be held under the theme: Ekurhuleni Economic Partnerships: Unlocking Opportunities, Building a Sustainable Future.

According to South African Government News Agency, keynote addresses at the conference are expected to be delivered by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, and Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi. In a statement, the city expressed its expectations that the conference would serve as a ‘catalyst for renewed investor confidence, economic growth, and sustainable development in the region’.

This year’s conference will showcase the city’s industrial strengths and vast investment opportunities across key sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and township economies. With a clear focus on public-private partnerships, the event aims to facilitate strategic collaborations, advance the city’s 10-Point Economic Plan, and drive job creation and economic r
evitalization.

Key focus areas during the conference include Aerotropolis and airport city development, where the city aims to strengthen partnerships and advance the Aerotropolis Master Plan, leveraging its strategic airport infrastructure to attract significant investment. The conference will also support local manufacturing growth, investor retention, and the promotion of industrial parks.

Additionally, the city plans to engage the private sector in investing in data centers, energy solutions, and critical infrastructure to enhance service delivery. Empowering township economies through entrepreneurship and inclusive growth initiatives remains a priority, alongside urban renewal efforts through fiscal incentives and infrastructure improvements in the CBD and industrial estates.

Ekurhuleni, known as South Africa’s industrial powerhouse and home to OR Tambo International Airport, has faced challenges such as global economic shocks, energy instability, and infrastructure strains. Despite these challenges,
the city remains strategically poised as a prime destination for investment, with a commitment to creating a vibrant, investment-friendly environment.

By collaborating with key stakeholders, including InvestSA Gauteng, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), and the Gauteng Industrial Development Zone (GIDZ), the city is set to drive economic transformation and attract both domestic and international investors. The conference represents a crucial moment to transform challenges into opportunities, ensuring that the City of Ekurhuleni continues to be a place where people and businesses can grow and thrive.