Ramaphosa targets R2 trillion investment boost over five years

Johannesburg – President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a new drive to attract R2 trillion in investment over the next five years, positioning South Africa as a leading destination for global investors.

Speaking at the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference in Sandton on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said the country was entering a new phase of economic growth and recovery.

“This year’s South Africa Investment Conference marks the formal transition from recovery to expansion, and from rebuilding confidence to accelerating growth,” he said.

Ramaphosa highlighted that South Africa had already attracted R1.5 trillion in investment commitments between 2018 and 2023, exceeding its initial target.

“Between 2018 and 2023… we attracted R1.5 trillion in credible, verified investment commitments… This proved that South Africa is an investable market and ready for business,” he said.

He said the government had recorded four consecutive quarters of economic growth, with inflation stabilising and the country’s sovereign credit rating improving.

We are meeting at a time of uncertainty for the global economy.

Geopolitical fragmentation, supply chain disruptions from conflicts and wars and trade tensions are radically impacting global capital flows.#SAIC2026#InvestSA https://t.co/FG7o1keytU

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) March 31, 2026

“Under the Government of National Unity… we have recorded four consecutive quarters of growth… and our economy is creating more jobs,” Ramaphosa said.

The president emphasised ongoing structural reforms under Operation Vulindlela, aimed at reducing the cost and risk of investing in South Africa.

“Its mandate is simple: to reduce the cost and risk of investing in South Africa. Not through speeches but through measurable implementation,” he said.

Ramaphosa also pointed to major reforms in the energy sector, including the end of load shedding.

“Through the Energy Action Plan… we have brought an end to load shedding and ensured a reliable supply of electricity,” he said.

Resilient and credible investment destination

He said the country was focusing on key growth sectors such as green energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and digital services, while ramping up large-scale infrastructure investment.

“Over the next three years the state… will be investing more than R1 trillion… in modernising and expanding public infrastructure,” he said.

Ramaphosa told delegates that South Africa remains a resilient and credible investment destination despite global economic uncertainty.

“South Africa presents a favourable proposition as a resilient, credible and reform-oriented investment destination with strong fundamentals,” he said.

He added that the new investment drive would be key to tackling unemployment and driving inclusive growth.

“This is not ambition for its own sake. It is the arithmetic of what South Africa requires to achieve meaningful unemployment reduction… and to build the infrastructure on which our people’s futures depend,” Ramaphosa said.