ON the second day of the KwaZulu-Natal Trade and Investment Conference 2025, the province’s Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli announced that R100.1 billion had been secured in investment pledges.
According to the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Premier Ntuli described the achievement as “a defining chapter in KwaZulu-Natal’s investment story – a moment where vision met delivery and ambition exceeded expectation.”
According to EDTEA, the pledges represent a major vote of confidence from both domestic and international investors, demonstrating that KwaZulu-Natal’s economy is robust, diverse, and ready for expansion. A total of 34 major investment projects were confirmed, projected to create over 60,000 direct jobs and more than 240,000 indirect employment opportunities across the province.
“These are not just figures on paper — they represent partnerships, innovation, and hope,” said Premier Ntuli. “KwaZulu-Natal is not only open for business — it is building a future defined by resilience, inclusivity, and global competitiveness.”
Confidence and collaboration
In a note of appreciation, Ntuli thanked the business community and investors for their trust and partnership, stating that their commitments were “declarations of confidence in KwaZulu-Natal’s future”.
He emphasised that these pledges reflect a shared belief in sustainable growth, driven by cooperation between government, business, and communities.
“Economic renewal cannot be achieved in isolation. The growth of KwaZulu-Natal is intrinsically linked to the strength of collaboration between the state, the business community, and our social partners,” he said.
The Premier further noted that the government’s focus remains on policy certainty, ethical governance, infrastructure readiness and efficient service delivery — key pillars of investor confidence.
Broad spread
Without sharing details of companies and projects, the EDTEA said the R100.1 billion investment portfolio spans multiple high-impact sectors, including:
- Renewable energy and green technologies
- Advanced manufacturing and industrial development
- Agro-processing and agriculture
- Tourism, retail, and mixed-use developments
- Skills development and property investment.
Major flagship projects include Colenso Power, Mulilo Energy Holdings, Zimbali Lakes, Salt Rock City, and Seaton Estate, among others.
The geographic spread of these investments extends across KwaZulu-Natal’s 11 districts, with significant economic activity expected in eThekwini, Msunduzi, King Cetshwayo, uThukela, iLembe, Amajuba, Ugu, and uMkhanyakude. The EDTEA said the deliberate regional diversification aligns with the Premier’s KwaZulu-Natal Secondary Cities Network initiative, ensuring that growth reaches both metropolitan and rural communities.
Inclusive and sustainable development
Premier Ntuli reaffirmed that the government views every pledge as an investment in people, ideas, and shared prosperity, rather than mere capital flows.
“Behind every investment figure lies a story of opportunity — for families to thrive, for small businesses to expand, and for communities to experience meaningful change,” he said.
He also noted that many pledges are greenfield investments, introducing new industries and technologies, while others represent brownfield expansions that strengthen KwaZulu-Natal’s existing industrial base.
Hope through partnership
Concluding the conference, held from 22-23 October at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, Ntuli expressed profound gratitude to all participants and reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to transforming KwaZulu-Natal into a globally competitive, inclusive, and future-ready economy.
“Your decision to invest in this province is not simply a financial transaction — it is a vote of confidence in our shared future,” he said. “Together, we are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more inclusive, and globally competitive KwaZulu-Natal — a province that works not only for business, but for all its people.”
