South Africa’s informal economy is often described as invisible, but its impact is anything but. From spaza shops to street-side food vendors, the informal sector employs up to 42% of our workforce and contributes as much as 6% of GDP, according to recent estimates. Valued at between R750-billion and R1-trillion, the township and informal economy have become a quiet giant, keeping millions fed, employed, and connected.

And yet, it remains one of the most precarious sectors of our economy. Traders navigate red tape, displacement, lack of infrastructure, unsafe conditions, and limited access to finance. Nearly 60% of informal workers earn below R3 500 per month, often without access to credit, insurance, or even basic storage facilities. For too long, informal traders have been seen as survivalists rather than entrepreneurs, despite many building businesses that have sustained families and communities for decades.

If we want to redesign the future of South African cities, we must start by redesigning how we support our informal traders. In Cape Town’s Bellville CBD, the metro’s second-largest economic hub, more than 200 permitted informal food traders line the streets around the bustling transport interchange. Many of these traders have operated for over 20 years, with more than 150 serving nutritious, affordable meals to over 50 thousand daily commuters. There are also close to 1000 unpermitted traders, working to put food on the table, all part of the city’s economic heartbeat.

Yet their reality is fraught with challenges. Traders often work in makeshift, weather-beaten structures that are neither hygienic nor secure. They face displacement by law enforcement for non-compliance with strict bylaws, and the daily costs of assembling, dismantling, and transporting stock eat into already slim margins.

This is where Bellville is stepping forward as a living laboratory for innovation.

The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP), together with the South African Urban Food and Farming Trust (SAUFFT), AfriFOODlinks and design collaborators, is piloting co-designed trading prototypes, new mobile and stationary structures built to be safe, hygienic, functional and compliant.

These prototypes go beyond physical design. They are about dignity, opportunity, and urban renewal. By designing weatherproof, lockable, and mobile units, we can reduce the daily burden of setup and transport. They integrate with municipal water and waste systems, addressing public health concerns while allowing traders to operate in clean, sustainable environments.

By reducing conflict with law enforcement and ensuring compliance with food safety standards, these structures allow traders to focus on what they do best: running businesses that feed the city.

Most importantly, we must recognise informal traders as entrepreneurs. Many traders have been in business for over a decade, responding to market demand and contributing to a symbiotic relationship with commuters and surrounding formal businesses. With the right infrastructure, they can thrive as legitimate business operators and not merely survive on the margins.

Many traders have been in business for over a decade, responding to market demand and contributing to a symbiotic relationship with commuters and surrounding formal businesses.

Informal trade as a driver of urban renewal

The truth is that supporting informal traders is not charity, and the informal economy is often not well understood. It is sound urban and economic policy. The informal sector is the fifth-largest employment provider in Cape Town and a critical contributor to the national economy. By investing in its infrastructure, cities strengthen their resilience, improve food security and promote inclusive growth.

There is a renewed effort to better understand the informal sector, with deeper work under way to identify the needs of informal traders and develop environments and infrastructure that support their growth. The CoCT Executive Mayor Geordin Hill‑Lewis, supports the informal economy and often stresses credibility, legality and opportunity, framing informal activity as something to be integrated into the city’s growth rather than suppressed.

The Bellville initiative shows that urban regeneration and informal trade are complementary as opposed to opposing forces. By providing fit-for-purpose structures, we enable informal markets to coexist with transport hubs, formal retail and public spaces in a way that is safe, efficient and mutually beneficial.

Whether in a small township market or a bustling inner-city CBD, the challenges traders face are strikingly similar, based on the GTP informal traders 2019 survey: weather proofing, storage, hygiene, ablution, security, parking and compliance. Models like this offer a replicable solution that could be adapted for Durban, Johannesburg, or even cities elsewhere on the continent.

At a national level, South Africa is already moving towards simplifying regulation, integrating digital payments and supporting SMMEs through innovative financing. By coupling these policy shifts with practical, community-driven design solutions, we can unlock the full potential of the informal economy.

The informal sector is not a problem to be managed but an opportunity to be embraced. By reimagining trading spaces, we acknowledge the crucial role informal traders play in our economy and our daily lives. We give them dignity, security and opportunity.

The question is not whether we can afford to invest in informal traders. The question is whether we can afford not to.

Bellville may be the starting point, but the vision is bigger, for a South Africa where informal traders are seen as entrepreneurs, where cities are designed to include rather than exclude, and where the informal economy is recognised not as an afterthought, but as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development.

The question is not whether we can afford to invest in informal traders. The question is whether we can afford not to.

About GTP

The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) is the go-to, trusted, and connected urban specialist, leading lasting change. Established in 2012 as an independent not-for-profit company, GTP collaborates with community members to co-create and innovate—building a renewed sense of belonging, giving hope and creating better places people are proud of. Because it’s more than a place!

Through area promotion, placemaking, economic growth, and environmental sustainability, we improve failing infrastructure, creatively enhance public spaces, upskill youth, create job opportunities, support community businesses, and reduce environmental harm by changing systems and behaviour. Bellville is proof of our impact—a living laboratory where GTP’s methods are trialled, tested and proven.

Also read:

Bellville’s award-winning Buy-Back Centre is a new model for SA’s unemployment crisis

Below are ten reasons why the ELIDZ presents a compelling environment for industrial investment.

1. Plug-and-play industrial land

Investors at the ELIDZ gain access to fully serviced, development-ready industrial land, with bulk infrastructure already in place. This means no delays, no hidden capital expenditure, and no servicing risks when establishing operations, providing a ready platform for industrial development.

2. Strategic automotive port access

The ELIDZ is located close to a dedicated automotive port. With automotive berth access, lower congestion, and faster turnaround times, manufacturers benefit from more efficient logistics and export movement. Location continues to play a critical role in industrial competitiveness.

3. A deep automotive skills base

East London is home to one of South Africa’s most mature automotive labour pools. Decades of OEM manufacturing expertise, combined with an MBSA-trained workforce and a strong pipeline from WSU and TVET institutions, contribute to a skilled and experienced workforce, supporting the continued growth of automotive manufacturing.

4. An established supplier network

The ELIDZ operates within a ready-made ecosystem of component manufacturers, logistics providers, and service companies. This established network helps reduce operational risk, retraining costs, and supply chain realignment for manufacturers, strengthening the industrial value chain.

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5. Strong government coalition

Investment within the ELIDZ is supported by collaboration between ELIDZ, DEDEAT, Buffalo City Metro, the Provincial Treasury, Transnet Port, and the DTI. This coalition works to unlock incentives, accelerate approvals, and de-risk investment, creating a coordinated approach to industrial development.

6. Green energy and smart manufacturing

The ELIDZ supports reduced energy costs and carbon footprint reduction, while enabling smart factory readiness, EV innovation, and green logistics solutions. This positions manufacturers for a more sustainable future.

7. A proven automotive zone

The ELIDZ has built a 20-year track record hosting Mercedes-Benz Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, supporting export-focused manufacturing. This experience contributes to the Zone’s global credibility in automotive production.

8. Supporting localisation

Through the ELIDZ Manufacturing Incubator, enterprise development programmes support opportunities linked to the Geely value chain. Structured incubation programmes help strengthen local participation within the manufacturing sector.

9. Improving project economics

The ELIDZ provides access to a structured package of automotive and SEZ incentives designed to support investment, localisation, and export competitiveness. These incentives help strengthen the business case for industrial investment.

10. A de-risked investment environment

The ELIDZ provides investors with a proven industrial platform and a mature operating environment. This helps reduce ramp-up complexity and lowers transition risk when establishing operations, offering a practical pathway for industrial investment.

Connect with the ELIDZ team to explore available opportunities and join a growing manufacturing ecosystem. Visit www.elidz.co.za or contact 043 702 8200 to learn more about investment opportunities.

Here are 10 more compelling reasons to establish your business in the East London IDZ!

Recognized as one of the most important international platforms dedicated to the superyacht refit and aftersales sector, the event connects shipyards, captains, yacht managers and marine service providers through structured networking meetings, technical discussions and industry forums focused on innovation, sustainability and the future of yacht servicing.

Building on Durban’s strong presence in 2025

Durban’s presence at the 2026 event builds on the momentum established during YARE – Yachting Aftersales & Refit Experience 2025, where Invest Durban played a highly visible role in promoting the city as a strategic superyacht destination.

During the 2025 event, Invest Durban sponsored the prestigious Gala Dinner, one of the key networking highlights of the programme, bringing together superyacht captains, shipyards and global industry leaders. The sponsorship provided a unique opportunity to position Durban within high-level industry discussions and to showcase the city’s potential as a marine services hub.

In addition to the sponsorship, Invest Durban’s brand presence was prominently displayed through event banners and promotional material, significantly enhancing the city’s visibility among international participants attending the event from across the global yachting industry.

Advancing international investment partnerships

A key outcome of the 2025 engagement was the signing of a mutual Letter of Intent (LOI) aimed at fostering cooperation and promoting foreign direct investment opportunities into Durban’s marine sector.

The agreement focuses on attracting investment from international superyacht builders, refit specialists and global marina developers, supporting Durban’s ambitions to expand its maritime infrastructure and strengthen its role within the international superyacht ecosystem.

For Durban, this partnership represents an important step toward developing world-class facilities that can support visiting superyachts through refit, repair and maintenance services while also creating opportunities for marina development and associated tourism infrastructure.

Positioning Durban within the global refit market

The superyacht refit sector continues to experience strong global growth, representing a significant portion of industry activity and offering opportunities for cities with the right infrastructure, technical skills and strategic location.

Durban’s geographic position along key Indian Ocean cruising routes, combined with the capabilities of the Port of Durban, provides a strong foundation for developing a competitive superyacht servicing ecosystem in the Southern Hemisphere.

Through participation in YARE – Yachting Aftersales & Refit Experience 2026, the Invest Durban delegation is actively engaging with global industry leaders to:

• Promote Durban as an emerging superyacht refit and maintenance destination
• Strengthen partnerships with international shipyards and marine service providers
• Encourage foreign direct investment in marina infrastructure and marine manufacturing
• Position Durban as a gateway to the African and Indian Ocean yachting markets

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Strengthening Durban’s ocean economy

Participation in international platforms such as YARE – Yachting Aftersales & Refit Experience forms part of eThekwini Municipality’s broader strategy to grow the city’s ocean economy and attract global investment into the maritime sector.

By building strategic relationships with industry leaders and investors, Durban aims to unlock new opportunities for marine manufacturing, tourism development, skills transfer and job creation.

As the global superyacht industry continues to expand, Durban’s engagement with YARE demonstrates the city’s commitment to strengthening its position as a competitive maritime destination and a future hub for superyacht services in the Southern Hemisphere.

Contact the team!

International superyacht builders, refit specialists and global marina developers should contact Invest Durban as soon as possible to discuss opportunities in Durban.

The East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) is advancing the digital economy in the Eastern Cape through secure, scalable and locally hosted ICT infrastructure designed to support enterprise operations, government digitisation and technology-driven investment. 

At the core of this offering is the ELIDZ Data Centre, a state-of-the-art facility designed on Tier III principles, providing highly available, resilient infrastructure for organisations requiring secure digital environments and reliable data hosting. 

The facility enables organisations to host data locally, strengthen cybersecurity, and ensure operational continuity while complying with national information governance and data management standards. 

A strategic digital infrastructure platform 

The ELIDZ Data Centre forms part of a broader digital infrastructure ecosystem designed to support enterprise operations, government digital transformation, and technology-enabled industries. 

Key infrastructure features include: 

• Tier III-aligned data centre design: Designed for 99.982% uptime, ensuring continuity of operations for mission-critical systems.  
• Secure local data hosting: Supports data sovereignty and compliance with regulatory frameworks, providing organisations with secure and locally hosted infrastructure. 
• Carrier-neutral connectivity: High-speed fibre connectivity from multiple providers enabling resilient, high-performance digital operations.  
• Scalable infrastructure capacity: The facility is designed to expand as demand grows, supporting long-term digital infrastructure requirements. 

International security standards 

ELIDZ operates under internationally recognised information security frameworks including ISO 27001, ISO 27017 and ISO 27018, ensuring strong governance and cloud security standards. 

ELIDZ ICT Service Portfolio 

ELIDZ provides integrated ICT solutions designed to support operational resilience, data protection and digital transformation. 

• Data centre co-location: Secure rack hosting within a high-availability facility designed for enterprise and government workloads. 
• Private cloud services: Scalable and secure cloud environments that support modern digital operations. 
• High-speed fibre connectivity: Reliable network connectivity enabling seamless data transmission and digital communication. 
• Telephony and internet services: Robust communications infrastructure for enterprise and institutional clients. 
• Backup and disaster recovery (BaaS & DRaaS): Business continuity solutions designed to protect critical systems and data. 
• Managed ICT services: 24/7 infrastructure monitoring, technical support and proactive ICT management. 

Enabling the Eastern Cape’s digital economy 

ELIDZ’s investment in digital infrastructure supports broader economic objectives including government digitisation, enterprise innovation, investment attraction and technology sector growth. 

By providing secure, locally hosted digital infrastructure, ELIDZ is helping position the Eastern Cape as an emerging digital services and technology hub. 

Partner with ELIDZ digital infrastructure 

Organisations seeking secure, resilient and scalable ICT infrastructure are invited to engage with ELIDZ to explore tailored digital solutions. 

Tel: +27 (0) 43 702 8200 | E: ictsales@elidz.co.za 
Visit: www.elidz.co.za  

Also see:

ELIDZ: A cost-effective base for scaling digitally-oriented business operations
Invest in the ELIDZ ecosystem: Innovation, Impact and Inclusion

Key assets include Saldanha Bay Port—Africa’s deepest natural harbour—for bulk exports such as iron ore, supporting oil, gas, and maritime services. The district includes five municipalities: Matzikama, Cederberg, Bergrivier, Saldanha Bay, and Swartland. 

In 2024, the WCD generated R47.1-billion in GDPR (Gross Domestic Product per Region), contributing 5.1% to the Western Cape economy. It supported 182,346 jobs (7.1% of provincial employment). Sectoral composition in 2024 showed a balanced mix: 

• Primary activities: 25.0% of GDPR and 38.0% of jobs (agriculture dominant at 23.9% GDPR and 37.8% employment). 
• Secondary sector: 26.1% of GDPR (manufacturing 21.1%). 
• Tertiary sector: 48.9% of GDPR and nearly half of jobs (strong in trade, finance, personal services, and government). 

Growth opportunities abound in renewables (wind/solar farms), green hydrogen, aquaculture, agro-processing, and eco-tourism, driven by the revised Economic Development Strategy (May 2025), which emphasises inclusive growth for higher employment and incomes through private-sector innovation and stakeholder synergy. 

Projections & Featured Projects: Long-term GDPR growth 1.4%–2.0% annually through 2028. FDI since 2003: R631.7m (1,504 jobs).

Key projects:

• Matzikama Aquaculture Zone (R600m–R1bn),
• Clanwilliam Smart Town (R450m),
• Hopefield Museum (R6m),
• green hydrogen initiatives (multi-billion scale potential). 

Planning for Growth 

The Een Weskus / One West Coast Plan 2025-2050 (revised Nov 2025) and Spatial Development Framework (2020) guide sustainable development, focusing on nodes such as Saldanha-Vredenburg and the N7/Olifants corridors.

Under-supply of social facilities (e.g., 40 primary schools) creates opportunities for education/health investments. IDP Amendment (2022-2027) and 2024-2027 Budget/MTREF support these. 

Municipal investment profiling: A digital approach

In 2023, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA introduced the “Investment Profile Template Guide for Municipalities in South Africa” to help municipalities present their investment potential. Research showed only 15% of South African municipalities had investment profiles at the time.

However, limited financial and human resources have hindered digital promotion and investment attraction. SALGA has launched a programme to assist municipalities with digital initiatives, and the following municipalities are included in the first phase:

• City of Ekurhuleni (Gauteng) 
• West Coast District Municipality (Western Cape) 
• Mnquma Local Municipality (Eastern Cape) 
• Matjhabeng Local Municipality (Free State)

The main objective of this project is to provide municipalities with a platform to market themselves as investment destinations to both domestic and foreign investors using an already existing platform and access to the Global Africa Network audience.  

This reputation for hosting world-class gatherings was further solidified last week at the Sandton Convention Centre during Meetings Africa 2026. As the 20th anniversary of the event, it demonstrated Gauteng’s unmatched ability to facilitate thousands of confirmed business meetings, directly linking African products to global buyers and generating significant economic impact.

To that effect, Gauteng recently attracted R27-billion in Foreign Direct Investment from key global markets like the UK and the United States. Gauteng is clearly gaining momentum, with the inaugural Gauteng Investment Conference (2025) securing R312-billion in commitments, while the province claimed the lion’s share of last year’s Presidential Investment Conference, with over R180-billion in pledges.

Global industry leaders are moving beyond talk and are physically expanding their operations in Gauteng. Microsoft is currently investing R5.4-billion into local data centre infrastructure, while Heineken Global has committed R1.9-billion to its operations in Midvaal. The automotive sector is also seeing a boost with Chery International establishing local manufacturing, and the creative economy is set for a massive leap with the R4-billion Cradle Film Studios project which is destined to be the largest production facility in Africa.

What keeps Gauteng ahead of the curve is its connectivity. International arrivals hit 3.8-million this year, supported by new strategic air routes linking the province directly to North America and Australasia. With major infrastructure projects like the Gautrain expansion and a R50-billion dry port on the horizon, the province is effectively streamlining the region’s logistics.

Gauteng it the premier meetings destination in Africa while serving as a powerful catalyst for global opportunity. The 2026 Gauteng Investment Conference (GIC 2026) will provide another opportunity to turn conversations into investment.

Investing in Gauteng

Find out more about the economic and investment environment of Gauteng Province and explore projects in progress, insights and investment opportunities in the region.

Cornubia is planned to be a mixed-use, mixed-income development, incorporating industrial, commercial/retail, social to middle income residential and open space uses to be implemented over a 20–30-year period. This includes transit orientated development to promote live, work and play principles.

Current progress

• First 2,666 residential units in Housing Phase 1a and 1b delivered and occupied.​
• Housing is currently busy with the civils and top structure contracts for the phase 2A & B housing
• Cornubia Retail Park with Cornubia Shopping Mall, MMI offices and filling station operational.
• N2 Business Estate with a Makro and warehouses operational.
• CIBE (Cornubia Industrial and Business Estate) is largely complete, with businesses operational.​
• Fundamentum have come in as the new developer for CTC (Cornubia Business Park Precinct) – Planning stage
• Tenders out for key link portions of Cornubia Boulevard.

Next steps

Construction of the Cornubia Boulevard Roadworks (C9 WP6A – Ph1):

• • Procurement – Q4 2025
  • Implementation Start – Q1 2026
  • Implementation Complete – Q1 2028

Upgrade of Blackburn to Phoenix 1 Pipeline:

• • Procurement – Q4 2025
  • Implementation Start – Q1 2026
  • Implementation Complete – Q1 2028

Funding application with BFI:

• • Feasibility Study by DBSA – Q1 & Q2- 2026
  • Completion of CBA by CRI – Q3 -2026
  • BFI application – Q4 – 2026

Project info

• Investor: Tongaat Hulett Properties
• Investment value: R50-billion
• City contribution: TBC
• Construction period: 2010 – 2040

Contact

Potential investors seeking more information about upcoming opportunities in this development are encouraged to contact the project promotors:

Whetstone Business Park is an estate with commercial, retail and light industrial opportunities. It spans an 81-hectare site strategically located adjacent to the Dube Trade Port Agri-zone and only 2 km from King Shaka International Airport along the R102. The development is planned to be completed in four phases.

Current progress

• Phase 1 implemented, with Frimax Foods manufacturing & mixed-use “Petro Port” retail node, plus future hotel site planning.
• Phase 2 has the Boxer Distribution Centre (DC) completed and Liebherr-Africa currently under construction.
• Phases 3 and 4 remain in the planning stage.

Project info

• Investor: Edstan Group
• Investment Value: R2-billion
• City Contribution: R5-million (bulk water infrastructure)
• Construction Period: 2019 – 2030

Contact Whetstone Business Park

Investment opportunities in Durban

Invest Durban act as a partnership between the Metro City Council and the private business sector, offering a free investor advisory service, plus key promotion, facilitation, aftercare services between all investment stakeholders.

With more than its fair share of diseases, the World Economic Forum estimates that the total demand for packaged medicines in Africa is around $18-billion per year. Interestingly, 61% of that is serviced through imported products, with only 36% being locally produced. Of the 36%, 40% of the production capabilities are confined to packaging and labelling with the remaining 40% limited to filling and finishing (Who Owns Whom, 2023).

For Africa to effectively service the medical requirements of its 1.4 billion people, countries on the continent acknowledge the need to enhance their pharmaceutical and medical production capabilities.

In recognition of this, the OR Tambo International Airport SEZ has designed and is in the process of developing, a globally competitive medical manufacturing cluster that will enhance the production and export of medical products from South Africa.

OR Tambo SEZ’s bold ambitions

Comprising 265 000m² of developable space, the OR Tambo SEZ Precinct 2 development is well positioned to support the production and export of time-sensitive products such as medicines.

Located on the doorstep of OR Tambo International Airport, the SEZ is an ideal location for the production and export of high-value, light-weight products that utilise air freight as a mode of transport.

In support of its competitive value proposition, the OR Tambo SEZ completed industry-specific research that identified different elements essential for the establishment of a globally competitive medical manufacturing cluster. The result of this research is a bold plan, that aims to secure international as well as continental buy-in, thereby ensuring that the cluster is well positioned to support the manufacturing of different elements that form part of the broader pharmaceutical and medical product value chain in Africa.

Competitization of the OR Tambo SEZ pharma and medical cluster

The cluster-based approach is globally acknowledged as an effective approach to enhance economic growth and development.

For it to be competitive, any cluster must pursue and ensure the existence of linkages between different elements that form part of the production process; these include basic inputs, manufacturers, role players that approve the products for consumption, and those that move the goods to market. Equally important are the research, development and innovation institutions.

The OR Tambo SEZ’s planned pharma and medical manufacturing precinct will have all the above inclusive of a variety of medical production processes such as pharmaceutical mixing, medical device component manufacturing, sub-assembling, labelling and packaging, warehousing and storage, training, standard testing, patent compliance and regulatory approval institutions.

Through this approach, the SEZ, which already boasts a competitive location, is destined to become a world class pharma and medical products manufacturing destination.

The OR Tambo SEZ’s planned pharma and medical manufacturing precinct will have all the above inclusive of a variety of medical production processes…

Available Incentives

As a designated Special Economic Zone, the OR Tambo SEZ will also provide manufacturers looking to set up operations with the opportunity to access incentives that reduce the cost of production. This is particularly key, given that manufacturing costs remain a major impediment in the enhancement of manufacturing in Africa.

Available incentives include duty-free importation of production-related materials and assets, as well as VAT exemption on export.

OR Tambo SEZ: The competitive choice

Underpinned by factors such as a skilled labour force, South Africa has long been a location of choice for multi-nationals looking to locate in Africa. The country also has an established supply chain to foster medical manufacturing expansion.

All the above, coupled with the Gauteng City Region’s competitive positioning serving as a gateway to sub-Saharan Africa, make the OR Tambo SEZ an ideal location for the production, export and trade of pharmaceutical and medical products within Africa.

Contact

Interested parties are encouraged to contact the OR Tambo SEZ investment facilitation team with your details:

[contact-form-7]

For more information on the pharmaceutical and medical cluster being developed at OR Tambo International Airport SEZ, visit: www.ortambosez.co.za

Dube TradePort is a designated SEZ, strategically located adjacent to the King Shaka International Airport in Durban, South Africa.

Spanning 2,840 hectares, it is the only facility in Africa that integrates an international airport with a dedicated cargo terminal, warehousing and logistics platforms, commercial offices, retail developments, and high-tech agricultural zones all within a single, secure precinct.

Current progress

• Trade Zone 1: Fully operational + 50 investors
• Trade Zone 2: Serviced and operational
• Trade Zone 3: EIA approved; engineering report to support SPLUMA (Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act) submission
• Agri Zone 1: Fully Operational 
• Agri Zone 2: Development ready
• Support Zone 1: Development ready
• Support Zone 2: SPLUMA underway

Project info

• Investor: Dube TradePort Corporation (DTPC) (executing entity)
• Investment Value: R13-billion (to date)
• Construction Period: 2008 – 2068

Contact Dube TradePort