Fixing roads and improving supplies of water remain key priorities for the North West Province. Various schemes have been announced and budgets allocated to ensure that these vital parts of the infrastructure of the region are improved.

The private sector is playing a role in assisting in the provision of infrastructure, for example in the building of roads by mining houses, but municipal, provincial and national government still have to lead with regard to bulk infrastructure. The province planned to spend R429-million on roads to link rural towns and farming communities to bigger economic hubs in the 2024/25 financial year. A total of 20 new schools are planned over the next five years, which will help the construction industry.

The provincial Government of the North West reports that the resuscitation of the Taung irrigation scheme is in “full swing” and that good collaboration is the order of the day with regard to the Vaalharts Water Users Association.

Public-private-partnerships (PPPs) are being explored in other areas of the regional economy, namely transport and tourism. Plans to position the George Dick Montshioa Airport (formerly Mafikeng Airport) as a logistics hub are back on track and investment in the order of R176-million is being actively sought to make this happen.

The other airport with potential to grow is the facility that serves the Sun City Resort, Pilanesberg Airport. Requests for proposals to revitalise and commercialise the two airports have been issued and a contractor is expected to be appointed in the course of 2025.

Plans to position the George Dick Montshioa Airport (formerly Mafikeng Airport) as a logistics hub are back on track and investment in the order of R176-million is being actively sought to make this happen.

The North West has superb tourism assets and it is a popular tourism destination with many excellent facilities run by both private and public entities. But the reach of government can only go so far. In that context, PPPs will be established with a specific mandate to improve infrastructure within what is known as the Protected Areas Network.

Eco-tourism is one of the fastest-growing subsectors of tourism and tapping into this market has the potential to benefit investors and communities alike. North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi announced in his 2025 State of the Province Address that mining house Glencore would assist in the creation of a nationally recognised botanical garden within an upgraded Kgaswane Mountain Reserve near Rustenburg, another example of a PPP.

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), which manages South Africa’s 10 national botanical gardens, intends for every province to have such a park by 2030.

Another PPP is tackling the problem of potholes. In the first year of its existence, The Pothole Patrol fixed more than 100 000 potholes in Johannesburg. The concept has been extended to the North West Province. Discovery Insure, Dialdirect Insurance and Sun City Resort are the private companies involved in the programme to repair potholes on the R556, the road that links Sun City to the N4 highway. Leisure travellers and conference delegates play a big role in the provincial economy and so making their journeys easier and safer is a good investment.

The ability of local authorities to manage the infrastructure of towns and districts has been under scrutiny for some time and national government has signalled its intention to intervene. A Panel of Experts on Mega Infrastructure Projects has been appointed by the provincial government. This is part of a concerted drive to change the way infrastructure is delivered in the province.

The panel has identified 185 projects, with eight being prioritised based on a number of factors, including bankability and potential impact.

These projects include a Smart City development in conjunction with Gauteng Province, the proposed Bojanala Special Economic Zone (SEZ), agro-processing and agro-hubs, water and bulkwater supply, health and large urban precinct developments, renewable energy and solar component production and broadband connectivity. It is hoped that these projects will contribute to being able to process more of the raw products that are produced by the agriculture and mining sectors.

Mining and agriculture have always been the economic mainstays of the economy of the North West, and this is still true. But whereas the platinum group metals (PGMs) mined on the parts of the Bushveld Igneous Complex that lie beneath the province’s soils have been attracting good prices and the future of mining these particular minerals looks good because of the relevance that they have for the growing renewable energy economy, the North West is now expanding its interest in other parts of that green economy.

Large solar farms are now being built at an increasing rate in the North West.

The establishment of the Mafikeng Digital Information Hub, a co-working 4IR hub in the centre of Mahikeng, is an indicator that the province is intent on joining the digital movement. The hub is led by Joseph Ndaba, who is serving on the Presidential Commission on 4IR.

Small to big

Assisting small businesses in the process of becoming bigger businesses is part of the brief of the North West Development Corporation (NWDC).

The Corporation’s newsletter has reported some notable successes in the North West’s small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMME) sector in recent months. Two types of pepper sauce made by Rustenburg-based Reabetswe Maungwa won gold at the Aurora International Taste Challenge 2024.

The brand name of the sauces, 1019 Relish Sauce, is inspired by the house number of the home of the creator’s grandparents in Tlhabane, Rustenburg. The idea for the sauce arose from time living in Ghana combined with needing to find something to do during the Covid lockdown. The five-pepper sauce is organic, suitable for vegetarians and those who love a bit of fire with their food.

Special horses

The climate of the North West is excellent for the health of animals, so it is no surprise that in the specialised world of breeding of horses for show jumping, dressage and eventing, the province is the chosen location for stud farms. Two prominent studs are near Broederstroom (Capital Stud) and near Schweizer Reneke (Lorelock Warmblood Stud). The Tierra Pequena Training Centre in Potchefstroom produces dressage horses professionally.

A new development in the world of horses was launched in 2025 by the North West Gambling Board (NWGB), an entity under the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT). Traditional horse racing was revived at the “Lobelo La Dipitsi” event held at a racetrack in Vryburg, in the Naledi Local Municipality.

The NWGB partnered with Mompati Horse Race for Change, an entity that organises traditional horse-racing events. The organisers aim to rotate the “Lobelo La Dipitsi” event annually to different parts of the province, ensuring that varied communities benefit from its economic and social impact. The NWGB has stated that it is a provincial event designed to stimulate local tourism and support SMMEs across the North West Province.

Better known as the centre of a cattle-farming district, with Bonsmara cattle predominating, Vryburg also hosts a large annual agricultural
show and has links to a pioneering veterinarian, Sir Arnold Theiler. The Theiler Agricultural Museum and Cattle Research Centre is on the farm Armoedsvlakte, a short distance west of the town.

Geography and economy

The North West is bordered on the west by the Republic of Botswana and on the east by Gauteng, the engine of the South African economy.

The North West Province makes up 6.8% of the population of South Africa (3.6-million), 8.7% of the land mass (105 076km²) and accounts for 5.8% of economic output in terms of gross value added.

The Vaal River runs along the province’s south-eastern border with the Free State, and the province also shares borders with the Northern Cape to the south and Limpopo in the north. The mineral reserves in the province are enormous. Platinum group metals (PGMs) predominate but there are significant deposits of gold, uranium, diamonds, copper, vanadium, fluorspar and nickel. Stone and limestone are also found in large quantities.

Mining beneficiation takes place at many places, with Rustenburg being particularly strong in this sector. The economy of the town is closely linked to the fortunes of platinum mining, with the sector contributing about 70% of the city’s gross geographic product.

Automotive components firms are clustered in Brits, which in turn is close to the automotive manufacturing hub of Rosslyn (Pretoria) in Gauteng. Towns like Klerksdorp (agro-processing and engineering) and Potchefstroom (food and beverages) also have manufacturing capacity.

The North West is a major producer of maize and sunflower seeds and many other agricultural products. About 20% of South Africa’s maize comes from the province, as does 15% of its wheat.

The dry western part of the province is home to beef cattle, game ranching and hunting. The normally well-watered eastern and north-eastern regions carry varied crops, many of which are sold in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The agricultural sector also generates large scale storage and logistics operations, particularly in Klerksdorp, Vryburg and Brits, together with a number of agro-processing plants. Senwes is one of the biggest with extensive silo infrastructure while Suidwes has 17 retail outlets and MGK makes full-fat soy at its manufacturing plant. Lichtenburg-based NWK makes liquid fertiliser and animal feed, processes sunflower seeds and runs 37 silos and three grain mills.

The province’s three Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and the well-respected North-West University all have several campuses catering to a wide range of educational disciplines.

The university has a strong reputation as a research institution. NWU’s support of innovation has seen more than one successful enterprise spun off by its Technology Transfer and Innovation Support unit. One of these stories is covered in detail in the Manufacturing Overview of the 2025/26 edition of North West Business.

Hakem Energies founder and CEO, Ms Refilwe Sebothoma was officially appointed by Oryx Energies South Africa as an authorised LPGas cylinder distributor for the North West Province.

Originally from the mining town of Marikana, Refilwe is excited about the opportunity for Hakem Energies to give back to the communities of the North West Province where she has her roots. Establishing an LPGas distribution network in the North West will also create local jobs.

Let us go and paint the North West green with our Oryx gas cylinders, and let us improve the lives of our communities – one life, one household and one community at a time.

Refilwe has been a client of the NWDC since 2016, where the NWDC assisted her with market access. She participated in the Botswana Global Expo in 2016 and at the Investing in African Mining Indaba in 2018 and 2020. Refilwe remarks that these trade shows taught her about networking, partnerships and the importance of offering solutions suited to a particular market.

The immediate goals of Hakem Energies in the North West Province are to open between five and ten more LPGas consumer outlets in communities; to establish a bulk distribution depot for the North West, which would result in favourable consumer prices; and to train and educate communities on how to use LPGas safely, and the benefit it offers.

LPG is a cleaner, affordable and more ecological energy alternative to firewood, charcoal and paraffin (kerosene) for the communities of South Africa.

Speaking at the launch function, Trade and Investment Manager at the NWDC, Mr Lovemore Makunike remarked that the NWDC supports LPGas as a cleaner form of energy made available for purchase to communities. “We want to see your business reach this local community and grow from there”, he said.

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LPG is a cleaner, affordable and more ecological energy alternative to firewood, charcoal and paraffin (kerosene) for the communities of South Africa. It is also considered a safer form of energy, which saves the rural community both cooking time, and the time spent gathering firewood from the veld. Cooking with appliances powered by an LPGas cylinder ensures the gas is available for immediate access and use, and free from the effects of loadshedding.

“Let us go and paint the North West green with our Oryx gas cylinders, and let us improve the lives of our communities – one life, one household and one community at a time,” remarked the dynamic business woman.

The summit aims to provide valuable insights and knowledge exchange by hosting panels on a wide range of topics pertaining to mining, markets, entrepreneurship, sponsorship, and more.

We will cover diverse topics during the panel discussion. It is through engaging discussions like these that we can foster growth, innovation and collaboration within our business community. 

The North West Business Summit & Expo is geared to connect township and village entrepreneurs with opportunities, resources, information, training and development, finance and markets from corporate South Africa and the Public Sector.

Brought to you by North West Business Expo and our Host City of Rustenburg, Powered by FASA: Franchise Association of Southern Africa and broadcasted by North West Television.

#northwestbusiness #northwestbusinesssummitandexpo #nwbse2024

Find out more about business and investment opportunities in North West Province

The North West offers easily-available skills and distribution channels imperative for agricultural commercial ventures and plays a significant role in the supply of energy, transport and communications to the African continent.

North West Development Corporation (NWDC) promotes trade and investment in the North West Province to ensure economic growth and transformation in the region.

From its head office situated in Mahikeng and supported by ten regional branches, NWDC’s Trade and Investment Facilitation areas focus on the following:

• Positioning the province as an attractive investment destination
• Providing a one-stop shop for investment promotion and facilitation, investor services, aftercare support for investors (contact NWDC today)
• Support the development and growth of Black Industrialists in the province
• Using provincial imperatives and competitive advantages to grow trade and exports
• Creation of platforms for Trade/Export and Investment for the province
• Using the SEZ as a means for investment attraction
• Using Trade and Investment to support ACT Policy through identification of key markets and ensure market access
• Facilitate market access for North West-based businesses
• Facilitate synergistic initiatives with local and district municipalities

Trade & Export Facilitation

NWDC offers the following services to clients interested in selling their products on the international platform:

• Company registration

Through DEDECT, we are able to assists in identifying the type of registration required, supplly application forms and provide guidance with regard to document completion and advice about lodging applications and monitoring registration progress;

• Export registration and processes

Customs at SARS office assist in facilitating export permit requirements

• Access to both local and international markets

Includes local exhibitions, international missions, electronic platform

• • Through  DTIC – EMIA Scheme facilitation
  • The purpose of the EMIA scheme is to partially compensate exporters for certain costs incurred in respect of activities aimed at developing export markets for South African products and to recruit new foreign direct investment into South Africa.
  • EMIA offers exporters financial assistance with market research, trade missions and showcasing products and services at international exhibitions

Export development Training

• • Product Development
  • Product Certification
  • Quality Management System
  • Support: Export awareness workshop
  • Orientation courses,
  • Pre-exhibition training

Investment services

• • Facilitating joint venture and equity partnerships;
  • Providing information on financing options and investment incentives;
  • Providing advice on feasibility studies and business plans;
  • Assisting investors to obtain work and business permits;
  • Providing assistance in obtaining suitable factory space;
  • Assisting existing firms to expand and re-invest;
  • Assisting companies to find export markets for their products;
  • Advisory services to improve company growth and performance;
  • Competitiveness improvement support; and
  • Advice on productivity and process improvement.
  • Facilitating market access to businesses in the province

Investment Opportunities

The NWDC has a number of investment opportunities available to explore.

Contact NWDC

If you are seeking any of the services mentioned above, please send the NWDC a brief message including your details and business / investment objectives.

Once completed, the energy produced by the PV plant will be fed into Rhovan’s network and is expected to supply approximately 30% of the operations’ annual energy demand. The reduction in grid-supplied electricity is expected to save over 48,000 tonnes per year in CO2e emissions at the plant.

“We are very excited to announce this development at our Rhovan mine. Not only does our mine produce a range of vanadium products that can be used in applications that support a low-carbon economy, but by installing a solar plant that will supply renewable electricity to our operation, we are reducing the mine’s overall emissions footprint,” explains Japie Fullard, Glencore Ferroalloys CEO.

The solar project was conceived in keeping with Glencore’s Purpose of responsibly sourcing the commodities that advance everyday life and supports Glencore’s broader climate strategy aimed at reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its industrial operations in line with its short- and medium-term targets. Glencore’s commodity portfolio supports the transition to a low-carbon economy, while helping meet society’s current energy needs as it progresses through the transition.

Supporting the transition to a low-carbon future, however, is not just about reducing emissions and leveraging more green technology, but also involving communities and supporting their economic development.

“Rhovan has already consulted with the Bakwena- Ba- Magopa Community in South Africa’s North West province where the operations are situated. The community will be further engaged, and local small and medium sized enterprises will be contracted to assist in the construction and installation of the solar plant,” adds Fullard.

The solar project at Rhovan aims to further strengthen the sustainability efforts of Rhovan’s operation, reinforce its long-term commercial viability, and help it play its part in supporting a lower carbon, more just future.

Work has already commenced on the project, with the commissioning planned for late 2024.

The North West Province of South Africa is ideally located as one of the gateways to the SADC. The province benefits from the N4 highway that connects the Walvis Bay Port in Namibia with the Maputo Port in Mozambique, running through the province.

The North West offers easily available skills and distribution channels imperative for agricultural commercial ventures and plays a significant role in the supply of energy, transport and communications to the African continent.

The North West Development Corporation (NWDC) is the province’s trade and investment facilitation agency. It offers the following:

• Positioning the province as an attractive investment destination
• Provides a one-stop shop for investment promotion and facilitation, investor services and aftercare support for investors
• Supports the development and growth of Black Industrialists in the province
• Grows trade and exports by leveraging provincial imperatives and competitive advantages
• Creating platforms for trade, export and investment for the province
• Promotes the Bojanala SEZ as a means for investment attraction
• Identifies key markets and facilitate market access for North West-based exporters
• Facilitates synergistic initiatives with local and district municipalities

Trade and export facilitation

The NWDC offers the following services to clients interested in selling their products on international platforms:

• Company registration
• Through the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), assist in identifying the type of registration required, supply application forms and provide guidance with regard to document completion and advice about lodging applications and monitoring registration progress
• Export registration and processes
• Customs at SARS offices: assist in facilitating export permit requirements
• Access to both local and international market, including local exhibitions, international missions and electronic platforms
• Export awareness and development training
• Product development
• Product certification
• Quality Management System
• Support: export awareness workshops
• Orientation courses
• Pre-exhibition training
• Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme facilitation, through the National Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic).

The purpose of the EMIA scheme is to partially compensate exporters for certain costs incurred in respect of activities aimed at developing export markets for South African products and to recruit new foreign direct investment into South Africa.

EMIA offers exporters financial assistance with market research, trade missions and showcasing products and services at international exhibitions.

Investment services

• Facilitate joint venture and equity partnerships
• Provide information on financing options and investment incentives
• Provide advice on feasibility studies and business plans
• Assist investors to obtain work and business permits
• Provide assistance in obtaining suitable factory space
• Assist existing firms to expand and reinvest
• Assist companies to find export markets for their products
• Provide advisory services to improve company growth and performance
• Provide competitiveness improvement support
• Advise on productivity and process improvement
• Facilitate market access to businesses in the province

Contact NWDC

PMR Africa awarded the NWDC with two Diamond Arrow accolades in the category Leaders and Achievers.

The two awards were received by NWDC’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr Kudakwashe Mpofu and the Executive Manager for Small Business Development, Ms Nokuthula Phamodi.

The first Diamond Arrow was the first place for “Companies and institutions doing the most in their sectors over the past 12 months to stimulate the economic growth and development in the North West Province”.

The second Diamond Arrow was an overall first place for “Companies/Institutions doing most to promote economic growth and development through exceptional managerial and corporate governance qualities”.

Said NWDC Acting CEO, Mr Kabelo Mafokwane: “As the Acting CEO of the NWDC, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I thank both the NWDC staff, as well as our valued stakeholders for contributing towards the NWDC winning not only one but two PMR Africa Awards. Your never-ending support, dedication and feedback have made this possible”.

The PMR Awards are the culmination of a research process whereby companies and institutions are rated based on respondents’ perceptions with a strong focus on evaluating and measuring customer service and customer satisfaction.

Companies are rated by a random, provincial sample of 110 respondents comprising of CEOs, MDs, business owners, company directors and managers and senior government officials based in the North West Province

Through the awards, PMR Africa wants to acknowledge contributions, initiatives, strategies, effort, and hard work. PMR Africa wants to acknowledge a company’s vision, integrity, values, competence and ‘empathy’ that contributes to ethical and sustainable business practices.

Learn more about them at www.pmrafrica.com

The NWDC SBD and Marketing Units together with representatives from DEDECT conducted a site visit on Monday, 16 October 2023 to ascertain the progress of the Mahikeng Trade Market.

The market will have 22 units together with an administrative building divided by partitioning. The scope of the project includes ablution blocks with the refuse house being converted into a toilet which can also be used by the guards at night.

The asphalt surfaces in the complex are also to be sealed to assist with water drainage in the complex when it rains.

The roofing that covered the existing 13 parking bays had to be removed and replaced. In addition to the 13 parking bays, allocations have also been made towards the back of the market for 6 more parking bays and a parking area next to the market for 66 vehicles.

Phase two of the project will comprise a flea market which is adjacent to the current phase.

People utilising the factories will not have to walk out of the market to access the flea market when taking their goods there, but will be able to walk across from Phase 1 to Phase 2.

Steering the project at the NWDC is SBD Executive Manager, Ms Nokuthula Phamodi.

The TKCS highlighted upcoming events of which one event entails a cycling marathon planned from Pretoria through Rustenburg, Zeerust then into Botswana and ending in Walvis Bay.

The other envisaged events are trade missions to Kenya and Brazil.

The TKCS identified the NWDC as an integral stakeholder and partner in unlocking opportunities to grow the corridor for the mutual benefit of the three countries.

The NWDC was represented by SBD Executive Ms Nokuthula Phamodi, Trade and Investment Manager Mr Lovemore Makunike and Marketing and Communication Manager Ms Sam Mudramuthoo.

Engagements will continue as the NWDC partners with the TKCS.

The Trans-Kalahari Corridor is a paved highway corridor that provides a direct route from the port of Walvis Bay and Windhoek in central Namibia, through Botswana, to Pretoria in Gauteng province in South Africa.

BRICS Leaders engaged with each other, and also with business during the BRICS Business Forum and engaged with the New Development Bank, BRICS Business Council and other mechanisms during the Summit.

While the BRICS Summit is a meeting of heads of state and government and is not open to the public, an extensive business programme was arranged around the Summit.

The North West Province secured exposure to both its trade and investment offerings by participating in The BRICS Trade Fair held at the Gallagher Convention Centre from 19 to 23 August 2023 and the North West Investment Forum held in Sandton on the evening of 22 August 2023.

BRICS Trade Fair

The NWDC was the coordinating agency for the North West Pavillion, in which proudly North West companies were showcased, alongside DEDECT, the North West Department of Agriculture and the provincial agencies of North West Housing Corporation, North West Parks and Tourism Board and the Bojanala SEZ.

The fair was officially opened by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Ebrahim Patel together with his BRIC counterparts.

The exhibition served as a platform for showcasing products and services from the BRICS countries and business-to-business interaction aimed at increasing intra-BRICS trade and investment.

A total of forty SMME companies were selected from all provinces through the dtic and SEDA to exhibit, with the North West having as many as six in attendance. Proudly North West companies received valuable international exposure of their products and services.

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North West Investment Forum

The North West Provincial Government hosted the North West Province Investment Forum in Sandton, Johannesburg, as an investment promotion initiative on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. This served as a platform to promote trade and investment opportunities within the North West Province to BRICS nations and the developing world.

The forum promoted economic collaboration and attraction of foreign investment to the Province by promoting current high-value projects and investment opportunities including the Bojanala Special Economic Zone, which has already attracted fourteen projects with an investment pipeline of R13,514 billion, Bakubung Smart City Mixed Use Project, Matlosana N12 Development, Renewable Energy projects, Tourism & Hospitality, Air Infrastructure, Agriculture and various beneficiations initiatives, among others.

“The North West Province is endowed with mineral resources and form part and parcel of the richest platinum belt which accounts for seventy percent (70%) of the total reserves in the world. In addition to this the province currently has over three thousand active mines with investment opportunities ranging from exploration, processing in the form of smelters and refineries as well as provision of mining equipment among others” Acting Premier Maloyi said.

Agriculture and Tourism are also the largest economic drivers in the province. The North West is currently the top producer of beetroot, the second biggest producer of sunflower and carrots and a major contributor to the exports of maize in the country.

Investment opportunities in the Tourism sector include, resort development at Lindleyspoort Dam, hotel and conferencing facilities at Bloemhof Dam Reserve as well as the Sun City Theme Park.

Acting Premier Maloyi insists that these initiatives are aimed at repositioning the province as a preferred choice for investments.

“We are hard at work to reposition our province as an ideal destination for investments. Last year we saw mining companies like Sedibelo Platinum Mine investing over nine billion rand at their operations in Moses Kotane Local Municipality. But we want to diversify our economy particularly within the agriculture and tourism sectors. We are currently in talks with various business entities to revamp our two airports. Our province is a gateway to the SADC region and the revitalisation of these two airports will assist a great deal in the movement of goods across various countries in the region and the continent while creating socio-economic for our people.”

– Nono Maloyi, Acting Premier of the North West Province

Invest in North West

For more information or a discussion about setting up or expanding business operations in the North West Province, contact North West Development Corporation (NWDC):

[contact-form-7]