Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Parks Tau announced on June 23 that the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) and its entities attracted R647-billion in investment during the 2025/26 financial year, exceeding the R450-billion target by 44%.

Speaking during his Budget Vote address in Parliament, Tau confirmed that the country's ambitious R3-trillion investment mobilisation drive to 2030 is on track. At the sixth South Africa Investment Conference in March, R415-billion in new investment projects were recorded across 81 private sector commitments spanning all nine provinces.

Tau highlighted the Nyanza Light Metals project at the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone in KwaZulu-Natal, which has entered implementation with R15-billion in industrial infrastructure. The titanium dioxide pigment manufacturing plant – the only one of its kind in Africa – will create 2,400 construction jobs and 850 skilled operational positions, with 30% of employment reserved for women and youth.

The Minister also noted that South Africa holds approximately 80% of the world's manganese resources, ranks among the top six iron-ore producers globally, and possesses leading platinum group metal reserves alongside abundant rare earths, vanadium and chrome.

Tau said the dtic is increasing export capacity through integrated training, coaching and incubation interventions, focusing on value-added products including industrial machinery, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace equipment. The department is pursuing opportunities in the UK, Europe, China (through the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement), Türkiye, Brazil, Egypt and Southeast Asia.

South Africa's 12 designated special economic zones – nine operational – host 224 investors with R31.7-billion in cumulative investments, supporting more than 28,000 jobs. The Dube TradePort SEZ expansion unlocked over R2-billion across automotive components, textiles, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy.

The department was allocated approximately R130.6-billion over the medium term to advance industrialisation, economic transformation and investment.