South Africa poised for greatest economic revival as Ramaphosa targets $116 billion in global investment by 2031
South Africa kicked off its Sixth Investment Conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, with President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiling an ambitious plan to attract about $116 billion in new investment over the next five years.
Black News 
![President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses delegates at the Sixth Investment Conference in Johannesburg, on Tuesday, March 31, unveiling South Africa’s $116bn investment target for the next five years. [Photo by Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images]](https://ocdn.eu/pulscms/MDA_/4ba3edb629aa487d86d1f502090f3a81.png)
South Africa kicked off its Sixth Investment Conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, with President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiling an ambitious plan to attract about $116 billion in new investment over the next five years.
- South Africa has launched its second major investment drive, targeting $116 billion over five years.
- The initiative builds on previous successes, with $36 billion already invested in key sectors like manufacturing, energy, and logistics.
- Co‑hosted with the International Finance Corporation, the 2026 conference emphasises linking investments to measurable project outcomes.
- The country positions itself as a digital and industrial gateway to Africa, focusing on digitisation, decarbonisation, and diversification.
The event at the Sandton Convention Centre brings together more than 1,000 business leaders, investors, and policymakers from across Africa and around the world.
The new target of roughly R2 trillion builds on the success of the first investment mobilisation effort, launched in 2018. That original goal of R1.2 trillion was exceeded, with R1.5 trillion in commitments secured across five previous conferences and more than R600 billion already deployed in projects spanning manufacturing, mining, energy, and logistics.
In his opening address, Ramaphosa said the focus now is on delivering tangible results. He told delegates that government reforms in critical areas such as energy reliability, digital infrastructure, and industrial expansion are showing “clear signs of progress” and that the country is shifting “from promise to performance”.
Co‑hosted with the International Finance Corporation, this year’s conference introduces a more outcome‑oriented approach that links investment commitments directly to specific projects with measurable impact.
The theme, “Invest. Partner. Prosper.”, is intended to reflect an economy gaining momentum through structural reform and increased competitiveness.
South Africa’s pitch emphasises its diversified industrial base, improving regulatory environment, and strategic position as a digital and trade gateway to the rest of Africa.
Officials highlighted ongoing growth in renewable energy, green hydrogen, fintech, and broadband expansion as key sectors offering opportunities for global investors.
