“A dynamic industrial, globally competitive South African economy, characterised by inclusive growth and development, decent employment and equity, built on the full potential of all citizens”.
About the investSA Gauteng
investSA is South Africa’s investment promotion agency, which is part of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), serving as a link between the foreign investors and business opportunities coming to realisation. As part of its strategic offering, investSA provides One Stop Shop services across South Africa’s nine provinces; (four) are coastal, offering ports and harbours for imports and exports but have an extensive air, road and rail infrastructure. Gauteng is the smallest province by geographical size but has the highest economic activity.
investSA Gauteng plays a crucial role in positioning Gauteng as an investment destination of choice and providing holistic support to investors by providing intergovernmental coordination, making it easier for investors to do business in Gauteng.
Whether you are a prospective investor looking to invest in Gauteng, to expand your investment in the province investSA Gauteng is here to guide you through all the stages of your investment journey.
Gauteng – a place of opportunity
Gauteng is recognised as a hub for economic activity within the SADC region. As a result, many global firms have established their regional headquarters in the province (29 of the global 500 firms use Gauteng as their base) (infomineo, 2018). Of the top 14 South African companies included in the Forbes Global 2000, 11 are headquartered in Johannesburg.
Most of Gauteng’s infrastructure is excellent. It is also well connected to the rest of South Africa through a comprehensive network of national roads.
Gauteng is the host to outstanding public and private academic institutions such as the University of Witwatersrand (Wits University), the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the University of Pretoria (UP), while the latter includes internationally recognised business schools and private institutions such as Varsity College, AFDA and Boston City Campus.
It is also home to world-renowned research institutes such as the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the Water Research Commission (WRC) and the Innovation Hub. Knowledge is a key product of Gauteng!
Findings from the GCRO’s 2017/18 Quality of Life (QoL) Survey indicates a consistent year-on-year improvement in the quality of life in Gauteng. Results indicated greater satisfaction with life in general, with an improvement on this measure, from 46.3% in 2009 to 67.5% in 2017/2018. Other indicators support this trajectory, with the Human Development Index (HDI) showing an improvement from 0.65 in 2008 to 0.72 in 2018, while the percentage of people living below the poverty line has declined from 32% in 2004 to 16% in 2016.
Gauteng is regarded as a place of opportunities, which draws many people in the hope of escaping poverty through acquiring jobs that will better their lives.