​Staff Writer
Gauteng remains South Africa's economic engine, contributing 34% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GPD) and accounting for nearly 7% of Sub-Saharan Africa's GDP. Its contribution to national GDP, now at R1.6 trillion as of quarter 3 of 2024, underscores the province's unrelenting dominance. 
The Gauteng Investment Conference (GIC), to be hosted in Johannesburg on 3 April 2025, will catalyse the province's economic momentum, and align with broader regional integration goals. 
In line with the GPG's economic development strategy, this conference will focus on sectors that drive innovation, industrialisation, and sustainability, including green energy, ICT, infrastructure, transport, manufacturing, and township economies.
This conference aims to secure new investment commitments and foster stakeholder collaboration. Here are six objectives of the conference:
Attract R800 billion in investment pledges over three years: In April, the provincial government aims to secure R300 billion in investment commitments, a foundational step toward our broader R800 billion goal.
Showcase high-growth sectors in Gauteng: The province offers numerous high-potential investment sectors. This conference will highlight transformative opportunities, from advanced manufacturing to the digital economy, reinforcing Gauteng's position as a prime destination for impactful investments aligned with regional growth priorities.
Enhancing project preparation and execution: Ensure that projects are well-prepared, focusing on risk mitigation, feasibility, and investor readiness. This approach aims to secure impactful investments that contribute to Gauteng's sustainable development. 
Foster local and international collaboration: The conference will serve as a collaborative forum for public and private entities, fostering partnerships that drive regional growth and strategic investments and align with shared objectives for a prosperous Gauteng. 
Enhance Gauteng's business environment: By addressing barriers to doing business in Gauteng, the conference will seek to make the region more accessible and attractive for investment, focused on creating a streamlined, investor-friendly environment conducive to both new investments and business expansion. 
Support economic transformation and job creation: The focus will be on projects that transform Gauteng's economy, uplift communities, foster skills development, and enable sustainable jobs. These initiatives emphasise inclusive industrialisation, benefiting small businesses and historically disadvantaged groups.
There are various developments and initiatives underway that will be of particular interest for investors, some which are being launched in the month of March. One of these is the OR Tambo International Airport Precinct 2. Precinct 1 was completed in 2024, featuring 12 buildings focused on agro-processing and jewellery and diamond beneficiation. The Jewellery Manufacturing Park was established to boost beneficiary. It houses the second-largest food processing factory in the country and contributed significantly to the creation of jobs. The precinct created over 2 500 operational jobs and more than 2 000 construction jobs.
This is only one of many infrastructure projects underway. The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), an entity of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, has published the Gauteng City Region Investment Brochure that outlines the key infrastructure projects underway in the 5 development corridors of the Gauteng City Region. The entity has also developed an Investment Book comprising of 76 infrastructure projects that are under different stages of development, mainly feasibility and initial preparation. These will be presented at the Gauteng Investment Conference and will continue to anchor our infrastructure investment drive in Gauteng.