​Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile has tabled a R527.2 billion budget for over three years, outlining the province's fiscal strategy under the theme "Reaffirming and strengthening Gauteng's role in the continental economy."
Presenting the 2025/26 financial year Provincial Budget Vote, Maile acknowledged South Africa's ongoing economic challenges, including structural constraints and logistical bottlenecks.
Despite these challenges, he emphasised Gauteng's continued role as the country's economic powerhouse, particularly as it prepares to host the G20 Leaders' Summit later this year.
Maile said Gauteng is working towards achieving economic growth, citing the liquidity pressures caused by the e-toll debt and persistent accruals.
However, he reassured stakeholders that the province's finances would remain stable. 
The provincial economy grew above the national rate at 1.3% in 2024. It is expected to rise to 1.8% in 2025 before reaching 2% in 2026.
 Maile said the Treasury has implemented a compulsory baseline to reduction across all provincial departments to sustain public finances.
"To ensure that we reach and even surpass targets, provincial departments are implementing various strategies to enhance revenue collection."
The province will host the first Gauteng Investment Conference on 3 April 2025 to grow the investment.
"We aim to attract R800 billion investment commitments into the province over three to five years. We aim to push for R300 billion of this investment to be secured in the 2025/2026 financial year."
He added that the event will also be an essential platform for engaging private and public sector investors on policy measures to bolster energy security, revive industrial competitiveness, and leverage private-sector investment to fast-track economic recovery and growth in Gauteng. 
"Some of the programmes for which we are targeting investments include the Gauteng-Limpopo railway line, which will be partially supported through a joint contribution by the two provincial governments."
Maile outlined the budget allocations for key provincial departments, ensuring that the priorities set out in the State of the Province Address are adequately funded for the 2025/2026 financial year as follows:
The Office of the Premier receives R1.5 billion in the 2025/26 financial year and R4.6 billion over the MTEF.
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature receives R1.2 billion in 2025/26, growing to R3 billion over the MTEF period.
The Department of Economic Development will be allocated R1.6 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year and R4.9 billion in total over the MTEF.
The department of Health's 2025/2026 financial year allocation amounts to R66 billion, and a total of R209.1 billion over the MTEF.
In the 2025/2026 financial year, the Department of Education received R69.6 billion, or R211.2 billion cumulatively over the MTEF.
The Department of Social Development receives R5.5 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year and R16.8 billion over the MTEF.
The Department of Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs, and Urban Planning will receive R551.4 million in the 2025/2026 financial year and R1.7 billion over the MTEF.
In the 2025/2026 financial year, the Department of Human Settlements will be allocated R5.8 billion and R16.6 billion over the MTEF.
The Department of Roads and Transport's 2025/2026 allocation is R9.7 billion, and R28 billion over the MTEF.
In the 2025/2026 financial year, the Department of Community Safety will receive R2.4 billion and R6.8 billion over the MTEF.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will receive R2 billion for the 2025 MTEF, including R647.3 million alone in the 2025/2026 financial year.
The Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation will receive an amount of R1 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year and R3.1 billion over the MTEF.
The Department of Infrastructure Development's allocation for the 2025/2026 financial year amounts to R3.6 billion, or R10.8 billion cumulatively over the MTEF.
The Department of e-Government has been allocated R1.5 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year and R4.8 billion over the MTEF.
The Provincial Treasury will receive R787.8 million in the 2025/2026 financial year and R2.4 billion cumulatively over the MTEF.
The Department of Environment will receive R611.4 million in the 2025/2026 financial year and R1.8 billion over the MTEF.
Maile said despite the downward revision of budgets and reprioritisation within and between budget votes, the priorities highlighted in the State of the Province Address are funded in this 2025 MTEF Budget.
"We are confident that they will yield a measurable impact in delivering meaningful change for the people of Gauteng."