About Department

Northern Cape Economic Overview

Northern Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy
The Northern Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (NCPGDS) was launched in 2005 and is a guide on the Developmental planning in the province.

The following primary development objectives are identified by the NCPGDS:
 
• Promoting the growth, diversification and transformation of the provincial economy; and
• Poverty reduction through social development.
• Developing requisite levels of human and social capital;
• Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of governance and other development institutions; and enhancing infrastructure for economic growth and social development.
 
Major strategic interventions for promoting the growth, diversification and transformation of the provincial economy include:
 
• Mineral beneficiation has the potential to unlock manufacturing opportunities that will contribute significantly to the provincial economy through value added manufactured products.
• The manufacturing centre to support the above initiative is underway.
• Agro processing is another sector in which manufacturing can originate to create greater impetus to diversification and consequently higher economic growth.
• Fishing and Mariculture has the potential to mitigating the future negative socio economic impact associated with diamond mining downscaling.
• Tourism Industry has blossomed largely as a result of the opening up of SA as a long haul tourist destination for the world travelers.
• Space Technology brings a lot of opportunities to the NC.
• Social Accounting Matrix will be used to identify opportunities to diversify and develop sub sectors of manufacturing and agro processing.
 
Economic advantages which create a positive environment for the province:
 
• Abundant mineral and natural resources
• Infrastructure
• Unique climatic conditions
• Unique tourism destination
• Abundant land for economic growth planning
• Manageable demographic proportions for economic growth planning
 
Economic Sectors
The biggest component of the Northern Cape’s regional GDP (GDPR) is the tertiary sector (52%), followed by the primary sector (31.8%). The agricultural sector is traditionally strong, but is sensitive to price changes and droughts. The manufacturing sector in the last few years has generated strong growth nationally mainly because of significant growth in consumer demand for semi-durable and durable goods. Manufacturing is a definite growth area for the province. Finance, real estate and business services are other areas of growth mainly driven by the housing/property boom in the province, and the growing demand for business services fuelled by demand for primary products and services. Construction was the best-performing sector in the province in 2004 and continues to show good growth and exciting prospects for future economic and social development.

Government Priorities
In her State of the Province address, the former Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Dipuo Peters, highlighted certain development and governance priorities for the provincial government:
 
• The finalisation work on the provincial freight logistics strategy
• The construction of a tertiary hospital facility and establishment of a school of nursing in the province
• The process of expediting the initiative of delegating housing delivery to the sphere of local government, so as to speed up delivery of housing to the people
• The increase in infrastructure expenditure by government
• The continued effort to diversify the provincial economy, support cooperatives and create an enabling environment for new entrants
• A tourism master plan that will guide the development and promotion of the tourism and hospitality industries as key economic growth sectors
• Government to procure a minimum of 50% of goods and services from within the province
 
For more information contact the department:
 
Contact: Derek Martin
Tel: +27 53 830 4804
Fax: +27 53 830 4838
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Delivery Agreement

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism has been identified as the lead department for the implementation of Outcome 4 & 6 and supports the implementation of Outcome 5, 7 and 10. The implementation of the aforementioned outcomes will contribute towards the achievement of the National Development Plan.

Outcome 4

Government adopted the new medium-term strategic framework (MTSF) in August 2014. The MTSF has 14 Outcomes and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism is responsible for Outcome 4 (decent employment through inclusive economic growth) which has 10 sub-outcomes. During the recent strategic planning session, the following provincial actions were identified under each sub-outcome:

Sub-outcome 1: Productive Investment in effectively crowded in through the infrastructure build programme

  • Set baseline for local procurement in terms of the infrastructure build programme specific to the Northern Cape.
  • Inform the Provincial PICC of the baselines for local procurement and targets of the Province.
  • Strengthen relationships between the Department of Economic Development and the Office of the Premier to ensure that local procurement is supported.
  • Tourism Product Development in niche markets and rural areas
  • Local Economic Development, red tape reduction and the implementation of the Provincial Spatial Development Framework and Provincial Growth and Development Plan
  • Alignment of National Economic Strategy to Provincial needs.
  • Coordinate implementation of provincially aligned policies and strategies through Outcomes, Cluster and DEDaT forums.
  • Support the Industrial Cluster Development of the Kimberley diamond Hub and SEZ Kimberley Airport Development by promoting investment. 
  • Monitoring of provincial beneficiaries (SMME's, Cooperatives, communities, investment trusts, and vulnerable groups).

Sub-outcome 2: The productive Sectors account for a growing share of production and employment

  • Alignment with the annual IPAP review.
  • Promote creative industries as identified in the IPAP through Tourism Information distribution and Rural Development.
  • Implementation of the pillars of the Manufacturing Strategy, resourcing and implementation of Renewable Energy Strategy.
  • Provide support to Textile, Metals, Agro Processing, Mineral beneficiation and Green Industries (Renewable Energies).
  • Promote Agri Tourism through Route development.
  • Support the implementation of the APAP pillars and align provincial actions with annual APAP review.
  • Support Ocean Economies through Operation Phakisa in Wines, Fruit and Vegetables, Red Meat, Small-Scale Fisheries.
  • Alignment/Provincialisation of the Mineral Beneficiation Strategy and 10 point plan for the mining sector.
  • Provide inputs in the review of the National Mining Sector Strategy.
  • Develop and implement Precious and Semi-Precious metals beneficiation strategy.
  • Focus on Social Labour Plans and PMPI implementation and provincialisation.
  • Implementation and monitoring of Tourism Master Plan , NC Tourism Entity Act 2008, NTSS, Rural Development strategy and Heritage Tourism Strategy.
  • Identify destressed mining town and prioritize, plan and resource via national funding applications and Social Labour Plans and address lack of resources.
  • Revitalisation of mining towns through extended mining exploration development of other industries.
  • Exploration of economically viable shale gas energy.
  • Impact review on the sector in terms of the departmental research agenda.
  • LED planning inclusion and stakeholder coordination. 
  • Develop a provincial sector specific empowerment compliance database and analyse trade flows against national economic goals.

Sub-outcome 3: The elimination of unnecessary regulatory burdens and lower price increases for key inputs and wage goods fosters business confidence, reduces costs for working people and producers, and sustain investment and economic growth

  • Regular meetings of NC Gambling and Liquor Boards with their respective industry stakeholders to identify blockages to growth, social investment and employment creation.
  • Conduct consultative with Tourism Stakeholders to identify barriers.
  • Regular meeting with National Economic Development Department, dti and SMME department to share projects information and blockages.
  • Participation in government structures to advance investment promotion.
  • Identify market abuse through analysis of consumer complaints and propose interventions.
  • Engage in joint social responsibility programmes to address the social ills related to liquor, gambling and consumer exploitation.

Sub-outcome 4: Workers education and skills increasingly meet economic needs

  • Implementation Forum for Outcome 4 and 6 to identify skills requirement for provincial economy.
  • Support the Provincial Skills Development Forum with analysis and information.
  • Conduct a skills gap analysis to identify industry specific skills needed in the Province.
  • Enhance skills development in the Tourism Industry of the Province.
  • Skills Development specific to needs SMMEs (Business Management, Financial Management and Marketing Management).

Sub-outcome 5: Spatial imbalances in economic opportunities are addressed through employment in agriculture, the build programme and densification in the metros

  • RaLED planning and support, provide business support and access to finance.
  • Ensure alignment of DEDaT township revitalisation programme to the National intervention on the improvement of social and economic conditions of towns.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of set initiatives.

Sub-outcome 6: Macroeconomic conditions support employment –creating growth

  • Advise municipalities on red tape reduction to attract investment

Sub-outcome 7: Workplace conflict is reduced and collaboration between government, organised business and organised labour improves

  • National competency of the Department of Labour

Sub-outcome 8: Economic opportunities for historically excluded and vulnerable groups are expanded and the growth in small business and cooperatives is improved markedly

  • Ensure that licence & trading conditions provide economic opportunities for historically excluded and vulnerable groups.
  • Ensure economic opportunities for identified tourism enterprises: Access to Funding, Marketing, Awareness and development.
  • Implementation of SMME, Co-ops and Incubation strategies and skills development.
  • Implementation of KIDJA Incubation strategy.
  • Monitoring of provincial beneficiaries (SMME's, Cooperatives, communities, investment trusts, and vulnerable groups).

Sub-outcome 9: Public employment schemes provide short term relief for the unemployed and build community solidarity and agency

  • Rural Tourism Product Development - Facilitation of project management.
  • Implement projects as per DORA.
  • Monitoring of provincial beneficiaries (SMME's, Cooperatives, communities, investment trusts, and vulnerable groups).
  • Establish partnerships in establishment of Clusters.

Sub-outcome 10: Investment in research, development and innovation support inclusive growth by enhancing productivity of existing and emerging enterprises and supporting the development of new industries

  • Monitor the performance of the NGP job drivers
  • Establishment of provincial Innovation Forum in terms of DST regional model, inputs and coordination to the National Economic Research Advisory Network (ERAN) coordinated by the dti.
  • Contribute to setting the provincial research agenda through the Provincial Research Forum.
  • Strengthening partnerships with SPU, VUT, and SKA through MOU/MOA for joint research.
  • Establish and strengthen partnerships between industry and government.
  • Implementation of the NCISS and support the implementation of NCRES.
  • Conceptualisation of NC Space science economy framework.

Outcome 5

Outcome 5 “A skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path”, is one of the of the government outcomes being led by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

Government has committed itself through the NDP 2030 that South Africans should have access to education and training of the highest quality, leading to significantly improved learning outcomes. To achieve this vision, a number of outputs were identified and that include the increased access and success in programmes leading to intermediate and high level learning.

This Outcome also contributes to the implementation of Outcome 4, under sub-outcome 5 “workers’ education and skills increasingly meet economic needs”. Currently, there are eight (8) indicators under this sub-outcome and DEDaT is responsible for reporting on five (5) of these.

Outcome 6

As per the recent EXCO resolution, the department was mandated with the coordination and reporting of outcome 6 “An efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network”. Outcome 6 of the MTSF is formulated to achieve the objectives as set out in Chapter 4 of the NDP: Economic infrastructure – the foundation of social and economic development. The Province has shown some progress in the following Strategic Integrated Projects which are relevant to this outcome:

  • SIP 3: South Eastern node &corridor development
  • Manganese Mining Development
  • Manganese Sinter Plant
  • Manganese Rail Line Upgrade
  • SIP 5: Saldanha – Northern Cape Development Corridor
  • Iron Ore Rail Line Upgrade
  • Iron Ore Mining Development
  • Ibubhesi Gasfield
  • Vaal-Gamagara Pipeline
  • Kathu Supplier Park
  • SIP 8: Green Energy
  • SIP 11: Agri-logistics and rural infrastructure
  • SIP 14 :Higher Education
  • SIP 15: Expanding access to communication technology
    • Pixley Ka Seme Phase 1; roll out of the broadband
  • SIP 16: Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and Meerkat
    • SKA science visitor centre
  • SIP 18 : Water and sanitation infrastructure

Outcome 7

Outcome 7 “comprehensive Rural Development and Land Reform”, is coordinated by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). As a department we support the actions relating to development and support of rural cooperatives.

Outcome 10

The NDP’s 2030 vision is that South Africa’s transition to an environmentally sustainable, climate-change resilient, low-carbon economy and just society will be well under way. The plan expects to achieve this vision by implementing this outcome in 3 phases, with the first focusing on planning, piloting and investing in the creation of a framework for implementing the transition to an environmentally sustainable and low-carbon economy. Outcome 10 “protect and enhance our environmental assets and natural resources”, also links to the implementation of Outcome 4. The Department of Environment, Nature and Conservation (DENC) is the coordinating department for this outcome. 

 
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Contact Details
Ms. M. Barlow
Corporate Service
053 839 4075
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Metlife Towers

Corner Stead and Knight Street
Kimberley
8300
Tel: +2753 839 4000

Mandate

Constitutional Mandate

The broad mandate of the Department is derived from the Constitution of the RSA, 1996, which regulates government's duties and responsibilities to the citizens, in particular the promotion of socio-economic rights.

Specific reference needs to be made to Provisions in the Bill of Rights (chapter 2) relating to equality (section 9); human dignity (section 1O); freedom of trade, occupation and profession (section 22); and chapter 3 of the Constitution dealing with intergovernmental relations that inform the Department's work.

There have been no changes to the Constitutional mandates.

Legislative and Policy Mandates

The following directive commands the mandate of the Department;

National legislation (bills, acts, regulations, charters), of which the following are the most important:

  • Constitution of RSA, 1996
  • Public Service Act (PSA) and Public Service Regulations (PSR), as amended;
  • Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulations (TR), as amended; and the
  • Division of Revenue Act (DoRA).

Relevant line function legislation and regulations includes the following (National and Provincial, e.g., legislation pertaining to small businesses, companies, competition, gambling, liquor, consumer protection, local government, inter-governmental relations, development and planning, other standards and procedures, information, security, human resource management and development, labour, etc., including court decisions).

There have been no changes to the Legislative Mandates that govern the functions of the department. The passing of the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill of 2016, which is introduced to pave way for the National Treasury to allocate funds to urgent and unavoidable interventions, has not been passed to date.

Institutional Polices and Strategies 2020 - 2025

National Development Plan
The National Development Plan is the long-term socio-economic development plan for the country. The plan has a target of increasing employment by 11 million by 2030.
This is proposed to be achieved by:
  • Realising an environment for sustainable employment and inclusive economic growth,
  • Promoting employment in labour-absorbing industries,
  • Raising exports and competitiveness,
  • Strengthening government's capacity to give leadership to economic development, and
  • Mobilising all sectors of society around a national vision.
Furthermore, the department is responsible for Priority 2: Economic Transformation and Job Creation, through which the NOP developmental objectives are targeted.
 
National Infrastructure Plan
The South African Government adopted a National Infrastructure Plan in 2012 that intends to transform the economic landscape while simultaneously creating significant numbers of new jobs and to strengthen the delivery of basic services.
The plan identifies 18 Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPs). Of the 18 SIPs there are currently six that are of importance to the province namely:
  • SIP 3 South-Eastern node and corridor development,
  • SIP 5 Saldanha - Northern Cape Development Corridor,
  • SIP 8 Renewable Energy,
  • SIP 14 Higher Education Infrastructure,
  • SIP 15 Expanding access to communication technology, and
  • SIP 16 Square Kilometre Array (SKA).
A list of 50 strategic infrastructure projects and 12 special projects were gazetted in July 2020, to be prioritised.
 
The following are gazetted projects from the Northern Cape:
  • SIP 19 water and sanitation
  • SIP 21 Transport
  • SIP 24 Human Settlements
The full implementation of projects identified within these SIPs will result in more jobs being created in the province.

NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN 2050

  • In terms of the section 4 (a) of the Infrastructure Development Act (Act No 23 of 2014), Phase I of the National Infrastructure Plan 2050 for implementation (March 2022.)
  • Energy
         "investment in associated new industries will be promoted, such as the production of green hydrogen, green chemicals and sustainable aviation fuels."
         "Renewable energy technologies."
  • Digital Communications
         SIP 35: S A Connect
Bi-lateral Agreements
International, National and local Multi-party Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding concluded with the province include the following:
  • South Africa - China trade agreements;
  • Africa - Brazil - India Free Trade Agreement;
  • Hunan-Northern Cape Provinces Friendship Agreement;
  • Kharas Region - N C Province Twining Agreement
  • Sweden - South Africa city-to-city twinning agreement;
  • UNOPS - Department of Economic Affairs' Memorandum of Understanding;
  • TISA - Department of Economic Affairs' Memorandum of Understanding.
The articulation of the specific mandates derived from these frameworks is found in the strategic and business / performance plans of the different programmes and sub­ programmes in the Department.
 
Changes in the Policy Environment
The Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2029 builds on the foundation laid by the MTSF to achieve the goals of the National Development Plan (NOP)

UPDATES TO INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

The following additions were made to "Institutional Policies and Strategies 2020 -2025."
 
National Infrastructure Plan
A list of 50 strategic infrastructure projects and 12 special projects were gazetted in July 2020, to be prioritised.
The following are gazetted projects from the Northern Cape:
  • SIP 19 water and sanitation
  • SIP 21 Transport
  • SIP 24 Human Settlements
On the 61h December 2022, in terms of Section 8(1)(a) read with Section 7(1) of the Infrastructure Development Act, as amended, 2014 (Act no. 23 of 2014) (the Act), the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission amended the following Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs):
 
Strategic Integrated Project No. 20: Energy SIP 20: SUB-PROJECTS
d. Just Energy Transition Program (JETP): National
e. Green Hydrogen National Program (GHNP)
f. Oil & Gas National Program (OGNP)
 
Re-imagining our Industrial Strategy to Boost Inclusion & Private Investment
 
Economic growth and development need a transformed productive structure, which can be achieved through industrialisation. However, there are a number of structural constraints that need to be addressed, namely:
  • The economy remains insufficiently diversified.
  • Inefficient public monopolies imposing high-cost structure for network infrastructure such as electricity and transport.
  • Disappointing export performance and exports that are concentrated in minerals and metals products.
  • Highly concentrated industrial structures, limited competition and high barriers to entry.• Weak and volatile growth in labour-intensive sectors such as construction, manufacturing and agriculture.
  • Skills development not sufficiently linked to the economy's needs and developing capabilities.
  • Furthermore, as a result of lessons of successful programmes as well as lessons from what has worked, a better more focussed industrial strategy was proposed which identifies the 5 i's, Engines of Growth, namely;
  • Industrialisation: Masterplans and social compacts for National Priority Sectors
  • Investment & Infrastructure: Leveraging private investment, expanding infrastructure
  • Innovation: Digital economy, developing and diffusing new technologies
  • Integration: Complete Africa Free Trade Area to grow investment & exports
  • Inclusion: Revitalising Townships, boosting SMMEs, creating jobs, youth, BEE & women empowerment
One of the key lessons learned from the IPAP is that its focus was too broad. For the country and the province to successfully transition to one that is industrialised and globally competitive, the strategy should be more focused on priority sectors as follows:
  • Sector 1: Industrial Sector: Automotive, Clothing Textile Leather and Footwear, Gas Chemicals and Plastics, Renewables/Green Economy, Steel and Metal Fabrication
  • Sector 2: Agriculture and Agro-processing Sector 3: Mining: Minerals and Beneficiation
  • Sector 4: Tourism
  • Sector 5: High Tech Sectors/Knowledge based: Digital Economy, ICT and Software Production, Digital Economy, Health Economy Defence Economy
  • Sector 6: Creative Sector
  • Sector 7: Oceans Economy

National Infrastructure Plan 2050

The National Infrastructure Plan 2050 provides a strategic vision, linked to the National Development Plan objectives, with the aim to increase infrastructure investment, create new jobs through bankable infrastructure projects, and improve governance frameworks that leverage private investment in the development and financing of critical economic infrastructure. The first phase of the plan focuses on critical economic network infrastructure, specifically in the energy (electricity), digital communications, freight transport and water infrastructure, while the second phase will focus on distributed infrastructure and related municipal services.
The province, in alignment with the National Development Plan - Vision 2030, recognises the importance of reliable infrastructure to enhance the quality of life of the community with key priorities being:
  • Expanding infrastructure
  • Economic development
  • Creating jobs and therefore contributing positively to the livelihoods of the people of the province
  • Transforming the spatial reality
  • Improving education and training
  • Addressing the social ills of the province
Economic Transformation, Inclusive Growth and Competitiveness: A contribution towards a growth agenda for the South African Economy
 
The Economic Policy Division of National Treasury produced the document in 2020 in response to the slow economic growth, rising unemployment rate and lack of investment faced by South Africa at large.
 
The document is intentionally focused on economic growth and job creation and it acknowledges that a country becomes competitive when it is cost effective, innovative and provides adequate return on investment. The document highlights five fundamental building blocks to achieve long term sustainable growth, namely:
  • Improving educational outcomes, with a strong emphasis on early childhood development and a comprehensive reading plan for primary school learners;
  • Implementation of youth interventions, including training and apprenticeships;
  • Creation of sustainable cities and inclusive transport systems;
  • Address the skills gap through a combination of short term (easing immigration regulations for qualified individuals from accredited institutions) and long-term educational reforms; and
  • A capable state with functional public-private partnerships.

District Development Model

The District Development Model will be pursued through the "One District, One Plan" model, whereby single and integrated plans from all three spheres of government are implemented in each district with the aim of providing regulatory and policy certainty to local stakeholders.
All planning and budgeting across the state will be based on a shared understanding of District challenges, employing District-level Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) as a base for planning and resource allocation.
 
These plans will consider issues such:
  • Land release and development,
  • Infrastructure investment,
  • The provision of basic services and
  • Support for local economic drivers

Provincial Growth and Development Plan

The Northern Cape PGDP has been developed with the purpose to provide strategic direction in placing the province on a growth trajectory build on four drivers, namely Economic Growth, Development and Prosperity; Social Equity and Human Welfare; Environmental Sustainability and Resilience and Governance.
The document identifies the sectors with high labour intensity and development potential as follows:
  • Construction,
  • Community, Social and Personal Services,
  • Manufacturing,
  • Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing,
  • Wholesale and Retail Trade, Catering and Accommodation.
  • Improving educational outcomes, with a strong emphasis on early childhood development and a comprehensive reading plan for primary school learners;
  • Implementation of youth interventions, including training and apprenticeships;
  • Creation of sustainable cities and inclusive transport systems;
  • Address the skills gap through a combination of short term (easing immigration regulations for qualified individuals from accredited institutions) and long-term educational reforms; and
  • A capable state with functional public-private partnerships.

District Development Model

 
The District Development Model will be pursued through the "One District, One Plan" model, whereby single and integrated plans from all three spheres of government are implemented in each district with the aim of providing regulatory and policy certainty to local stakeholders.
All planning and budgeting across the state will be based on a shared understanding of District challenges, employing District-level Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) as a base for planning and resource allocation.
These plans will consider issues such:
  • Land release and development,
  • Infrastructure investment,
  • The provision of basic services and
  • Support for local economic drivers

Provincial Growth and Development Plan

The Northern Cape PGDP has been developed with the purpose to provide strategic direction in placing the province on a growth trajectory build on four drivers, namely Economic Growth, Development and Prosperity; Social Equity and Human Welfare; Environmental Sustainability and Resilience and Governance.
 
The document identifies the sectors with high labour intensity and development potential as follows:
  • Construction,
  • Community, Social and Personal Services,
  • Manufacturing,
  • Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing,
  • Wholesale and Retail Trade, Catering and Accommodation.

Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2029

The Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2029 (MTDP) serves as the 5-year medium-term plan for the 7th Administration of the Government. It also serves as the implementation framework for the National Development Plan (NOP): Vision 2030. The MDTP continues to align the goals and objectives of the NDP and the Programme of Priorities of the Government of National Unity (GNU). It is also aligned to RSA's international commitments and that of Africa itself as outlined in the African Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030).
 
It is essentially an economic plan to address the socio-economic challenges. The minimum programme of priorities include:
  • Rapid, Inclusive and sustainable economic growth and job creation (Infrastructure, industrialisation, land reform, structural reforms, transformation, fiscal sustainability, macroeconomic management).
  • Reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living (reduce spatial inequality, enhance food security and nutrition, social safety net, basic services).
  • Improve the delivery of basic services and bring stability to local government.
  • Investing in people through quality education and healthcare.
  • Rebuild the capability of the state and create a professional public service (metric based, restructuring of SOEs).
  • Strengthen law enforcement agencies to address crime, corruption and GBVF.
  • Social cohesion and nation building.
  • Foreign policy based on human rights, constitutionalism, and national interest.
The MTDP 2024-2029 proposes three interrelated and interlinked strategic priorities which are:
 
I. Inclusive Growth and job creation - addressing unemployment, poverty, and inequality through economic expansion and employment initiatives.
II. Reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living - Ensuring access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and social protection.
Ill. Build a capable, ethical, and developmental state - Enhancing governance, institutional efficiency, and policy implementation.
 
The mandate of the Department of Economic Development directs it to support the Apex Strategic Priority of the MTDP 2024-2029, i.e., Inclusive Growth and Job Creation.
The prioritisation criteria towards interventions include:
 
Prioritisation Criteria Description

Sectors in Distress

Prioritise sectors that are currently vulnerable but have a large employment base such as mining, construction, and manufacturing.

Promote diversification within these industries to reduce dependency on a single sector.

Scalability

Prioritise programmes that have the potential to create a significant number of jobs, especially in sectors that are labour-intensive.

Focus on projects that can drive through increased productivity and economic output.

Infrastructure

Prioritise investment in infrastructure projects that can provide long-term benefits and support other sectors (e.g. transportation, energy, telecommunications).

Engage PPPs to leverage private sector expertise and investment.

Industrialisation

Prioritise industries that can scale rapidly and have extensive reach, like agriculture and tourism, which can have widespread economic benefits.

Focus on projects that can drive GDP growth through increased productivity and economic output.

Research and Development

Prioritise investment in R&D with a focus in practical applications that SMEs can adopt.

Facilitate the transfer of technology from research institutions to the market, ensuring that innovations lead to new business opportunities.

 

The Outcomes include:

  • Increased employment opportunities.
  • Re-industrialisation, localisation, and beneficiation.
  • Enabling environment for investment and improved competitiveness through structural reforms.
  • Increased infrastructure investment and job creation.
  • Energy security and just energy transition.
  • Supportive and sustainable economic policy environment.
  • Increased investment, trade and tourism.
  • Science, technology, and innovation for growth.

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