KZN aims for R95 billion investment at 2025 conference
MEC for Economic Development, Reverend Musa Zondi (second left) has revealed that the province is open for business as it seeks to attract more investment following the success of last year's investment conference.
Image: Supplied
Following last year's R85.2 billion in pledges, the 2025 KZN Investment Conference has set itself a target of R95 billion in investment pledges for this year's edition.
This is the message by MEC for Economic Development Reverand Musa Zondi, who announced that the province’s 2025 investment conference will take place from October 22 to 24 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban.
Zondi, who addressed a media briefing on Tuesday in Sandton, said next month's conference aims to attract an ambitious R95 billion, with the province committed to creating an environment for business to thrive.
The conference has become the province's flagship investment gathering, facilitated by Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) on behalf of the provincial government, with the province now regarded as one of the country’s most influential economic platforms.
It is designed to showcase KwaZulu-Natal as Africa’s premier trade and investment destination, while driving transformative and inclusive economic growth in the province.
"This year’s conference is not just about pledges; it is about building a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive KwaZulu-Natal. The R95 billion investment target represents jobs, opportunities, and transformation for our people. KwaZulu-Natal delivers on its promises, and through this conference, we are opening our doors even wider to investors who want to be part of a province on the rise,” Zondi stated.
Last November, the Minister of Trade and Industry announced during the KZN Investment Conference, that the province had emerged as the second biggest economy in the country at a growth rate of 1.1% behind Gauteng, with a GDP contribution of 16% of the country's national economy.
Zondi indicated that last year's conference secured R85.2 billion in pledges, with reports that more than 80 percent of those projects had already broken ground, creating over 68,000 permanent jobs and 119,000 temporary jobs, signaling the province’s ability to convert commitments into tangible economic impact.
Zondi revealed that this year's upcoming conference is also aligned with South Africa’s G20 Presidency, which is being hosted under the global theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability".
"These guiding principles will be strongly embedded within the KZNIC 2025 programme. The conference will focus on strengthening solidarity through robust partnerships that advance shared prosperity across Africa; promoting equality by ensuring that investment opportunities benefit Black industrialists, women, youth, and SMMEs; and driving sustainability by prioritising green investments and infrastructure that balance economic growth with environmental protection," Zondi said.
siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za