By Akani Nkuna
Limpopo has secured more than R450 billion in investment pledges through its investment conferences since 2021, but Premier Phophi Ramathuba says the province must now focus on converting those commitments into projects and jobs.
Speaking at the media launch of the 2026 Limpopo Investment Conference at Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate on Friday, Ramathuba said about R170 billion of the cumulative commitments came from last year’s conference.
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“Over the past five years, Limpopo has been able to secure more than R450 billion in cumulative investment commitments. This is including approximately R170 billion pledges at the 2025 conference. These commitments have been associated with the creation of more than 23 000 jobs,” she said.
“But from where we are sitting, we believe that we can do more and translate this R450 billion into more than 23 000 thousand jobs. It is possible, it is practical, and that is why our focus will be there. This figure represent a significant vote of confidence in our province, however it also imposes a responsibility upon us.”
In October last year, Ramathuba said R66.76 billion, or 23.6%, of the R282.34 billion pledged during the first four investment conferences had, at that stage, been realised as actual investment.
Ramathuba said this year’s conference would therefore focus less on attracting announcements and more on turning commitments into tangible economic activity that benefits Limpopo residents.
The Limpopo Investment Conference was established in 2021, with the inaugural event held over two days. It brings together domestic and international investors, business leaders and government representatives to promote investment and industrial development in the province.
This year’s conference will be held as a one-day event on 15 October at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, with Ramathuba saying the shorter format was intended to support a more action-oriented approach and “less talking.”
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Ramathuba said the conference would be held under the theme, “From Pledges to Prosperity: Accelerating Limpopo’s Industrial Future.”
She identified mineral beneficiation and the green economy as one of the province’s priority areas, saying Limpopo needed to reduce its reliance on exporting raw materials and increase local processing to retain more of their economic value.
“The second priority is agricultural modernisation and agro-processing. Limpopo is endowed with productive agricultural land and a diversity of agricultural activities. The third priority is the development of special economic zones, because industrialisation requires reliable infrastructure, efficient logistics and appropriate investment facilitation.”
Ramathuba also identified disputes within traditional authorities as an obstacle to investment and development, particularly in rural areas where traditional leadership structures play a significant role in land administration and local governance.
The provincial government has previously acknowledged hundreds of traditional-leadership disputes, including matters that have ended up in court.
Ramathuba said prolonged legal battles and infighting could delay development and discourage potential investors.
