ECDC - Eastern Cape Development Corporation

03/09/2026

ECDC Board Chairperson, Mr. Vuyani Jarana, delivered the closing remarks and outlined the way forward, thanking ECSECC for convening the Provincial Multi-Stakeholder Trade and Investment Promotion Roundtable Dialogue.

He noted that the timing of the engagement is particularly opportune as the ECDC is exploring new ways of funding projects and supporting initiatives that can unlock economic opportunities across municipalities.

Mr. Jarana emphasised that one of the most effective ways to empower institutions is to strengthen their ability to identify, develop and take viable projects forward. This includes qualifying and categorising projects so that they can be better understood, prioritised and matched with appropriate funding and investment opportunities.

He also highlighted the importance of government using its purchasing power to support local economic development, noting the need for government to “buy from its people” and create more opportunities for local businesses to participate in the economy.

Mr. Jarana welcomed the commitment demonstrated by participating municipalities, emphasising that the work undertaken through the ECDC–ECSECC partnership is not an endpoint, but the beginning of continued efforts to strengthen municipal economic development and investment promotion.

He stated that since the commitment has been made, the next step is to turn municipal potential into well-defined projects, investment opportunities and tangible economic outcomes.

03/09/2026

ECDC Senior Manager in the Office of the CEO, Mr. Sibusiso Ralarala, facilitated the handover of Investment Opportunities Booklets to participating municipalities, followed by responses from Executive Mayors, Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councilors from the Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Amathole District Municipality, Chris Hani District Municipality, OR Tambo District Municipality and Ntabankulu Municipality.

The handover marked an important milestone in the ECDC–ECSECC strategic partnership, reinforcing the need for continued collaboration between municipalities, economic development agencies and other key stakeholders to create an enabling environment for investment and inclusive economic growth.

03/09/2026

The Provincial Multi-Stakeholder Trade and Investment Promotion Roundtable Dialogue brought together subject experts and practitioners for three focused panel discussions aimed at examining what it will take to strengthen trade and investment promotion at the municipal level.

The discussions explored the role of municipal entities and economic development agencies in driving local economic growth, including how they can strengthen their capacity to facilitate investment and support businesses.

The ease of doing business also came into focus, with panellists examining red tape reduction and business retention and expansion as practical tools to retain businesses, support growth and create a more enabling environment for investment.

The discussions also focused on strategic partnerships and ecosystem development, highlighting the importance of connecting municipalities with development agencies, government, business and other stakeholders.

The deliberations also covered packaging, positioning and marketing municipal investment offerings, exploring how municipalities can better present their opportunities to investors and turn local potential into bankable propositions.

03/09/2026

The Provincial Multi-Stakeholder Trade and Investment Promotion Roundtable Dialogue showcased how the Municipal Support Programme is strengthening the way municipalities identify, package and promote trade and investment opportunities.

Ms. Shirley Batyi, Director: Planning and Development at Port St Johns Municipality, and Mr. Siyanda Ntshikilana, General Manager at Matatiele Municipality, shared how their municipalities are positioning themselves as attractive investment destinations, with a focus on institutional readiness and investment readiness.

The presentations highlighted investor-ready projects that have potential to catalyse economic activity and attract investment.

The ECDC–ECSECC presentation also highlighted the progress and opportunities emerging from Enoch Mgijima Municipality, showcasing the economic potential being unlocked through the programme.

03/09/2026

How can municipalities move from being administrators of local economies to becoming active drivers of trade and investment?

This question framed the discussion as the ECDC and ECSECC 2025–2026 Municipal Support Programme and lessons learnt were unpacked during the Provincial Multi-Stakeholder Trade and Investment Promotion Roundtable Dialogue.

The session, led by Mr. Akho Skenjana, Acting Executive Manager: Economic Development and Sector Support at ECDC, together with Ms. Fezeka Maqwati, Local Government Planning Specialist at ECSECC, and Ms. Nandipha Bam, Economic Development, Trade and Investment Specialist at ECSECC, provided insight into the strategic partnership between the two institutions and the workplan underpinning the Municipal Support Programme.

At the heart of the discussion was a fundamental question: Why should municipalities actively promote trade and investment within their spaces?

The answer to this question was that municipal spaces are more than administrative jurisdictions. They are economic ecosystems, home to businesses, industries, infrastructure, resources and investment opportunities.

Strengthening municipal capacity is therefore not simply an administrative exercise. It is about enabling municipalities to identify opportunities, connect businesses to markets, improve investment readiness and unlock economic potential.

The ECDC–ECSECC partnership demonstrates the value of coordinated institutional support in translating these opportunities into practical interventions that can contribute to stronger municipalities, more competitive local economies and inclusive economic growth across the Eastern Cape.

03/09/2026

Delivering a message of support on behalf of the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr. Vuyo Mlokothi, Head of Department: COGTA Eastern Cape, highlighted the critical role municipalities play in turning investment opportunities into real economic activity.

He noted that while municipalities face challenges including institutional capacity constraints, fragmented planning, regulatory barriers, limited investment promotion capacity and gaps in coordination, every investment ultimately takes place within a municipality.

Whether it is a factory, logistics centre, hotel, shopping mall or agricultural processing plant, investors require access to land, electricity, water, roads and telecommunications, alongside efficient approvals and a predictable regulatory environment.

Mr. Mlokothi also highlighted COGTA’s partnership with the University of Fort Hare aimed at assessing the efficacy of provincial development agencies and, where necessary, recalibrate these entities to better deliver the province’s desired economic development outcomes.

03/09/2026

Delivering the keynote address at the Provincial Multi-Stakeholder Trade and Investment Promotion Roundtable Dialogue, Hon. Nonkqubela Pieters, MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, called for municipalities to sharpen their focus on measurable economic outcomes.

She emphasised the need for municipalities to have the institutional capability that would enable them to convert opportunities into actual investments, supported by strong political leadership, capable administration, efficient processes and effective coordination across municipal departments.

She challenged stakeholders to measure economic development by asking critical questions such as How many investments have been facilitated? How many jobs have been created? How many businesses have been supported? How many projects have moved from concept to reality? And how many local enterprises have been connected to new markets?

She further encouraged municipalities to build investment pipelines, actively engage investors, facilitate market access and work with provincial institutions to remove barriers to investment.

Concluding her address, MEC Pieters reaffirmed the province’s commitment to collaboration and growth: “The Eastern Cape is ready to partner. The Eastern Cape is ready to grow. The Eastern Cape’s time to thrive is now.”

03/09/2026

The Provincial Multi-Stakeholder Trade and Investment Promotion Roundtable Dialogue is currently underway, with Mr. Luvuyo Mosana, CEO of ECSECC, serving as the Programme Director.

In his welcome address, ECSECC Board Chairperson Mr. Simphiwe Kondlo challenged stakeholders to look beyond celebrating milestones and confront the fundamental conditions required to attract and retain investment.

He emphasised the need for improved coordination in positioning and marketing South Africa globally, while highlighting reliable water, electricity supply, digital connectivity, and safety as essential foundations for a conducive investment climate.

Mr. Kondlo also called for greater openness in sharing lessons, including both successes and failures, so that institutions can learn, improve, and build stronger economic development interventions for future generations.

03/09/2026

Livestream: Eastern Cape Provincial Multi-Stakeholder Trade and Investment Promotion Roundtable Dialogue

The ECDC and ECSECC have convened key provincial players for a critical dialogue focused on strengthening the role of municipalities and economic development agencies in advancing trade and investment.

Follow the conversation as stakeholders explore practical solutions to advance trade and investment across the province: https://www.youtube.com/live/5zhyY7wbbNs?si=qkEzmpHXzLMKsISy

EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL MULTI-STAKEHOLDER TRADE AND INVESTMENT PROM...

03/09/2026

Tomorrow, farmers, producers, traders, and buyers will come together to showcase local products, build valuable connections and open doors to new markets.

See you there!