South Africa's Special Economic Zones: Driving Investment and Job Creation

South Africa’s special economic zone programme has attracted R14.8 billion in revenue and created more than 30,000 jobs, according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile

South Africa’s special economic zone programme has attracted R14,8 billion in revenue and created more than 30,000 jobs, according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

The Deputy President was referring to a World Bank report while he was speaking on Friday at the Second Annual International Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Conference in Durban. Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) Parks Tau was also a speaker on Friday.

Mashatile said that Durban is the leading marine gateway in sub-Saharan Africa, with the Port of Durban as its centrepiece. “The city is a critical node between the industrialised interior, particularly Gauteng, and the global markets, handling a large proportion of South Africa’s sea-borne goods.”

Mashatile added that the legacy of strategic infrastructure and industrial development is exemplified by the Dube TradePort and the Durban SEZ. “These initiatives are driving investment, innovation and economic transformation, particularly the linking of the Dube TradePort with King Shaka International Airport and the Port of Durban, which handles more than 60% of South Africa’s container traffic.”