Only R71 billion of the R452 billion in investment pledges materialised in South Africa’s northernmost province

The efficacy of Limpopo’s annual Investment Conferences has been called into question after only R71 billion of the R452 billion in investment pledges materialised.

The province held its 6th investment conference on 15 October 2026 at The Ranch Resort in the provincial capital and economic centre of Polokwane.

R138 billion in investment pledges was secured, surpassing the R120 billion target set by the Limpopo Provincial Government (LPG).

Despite the amounts pledged, Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature Jacques Smalle questioned the value of the conference amid failing service delivery across the province.

“Limpopo cannot attract investment through conferences while driving it away through failing local government,” Smalle said.

“The province’s problem is not a lack of investment potential. It is the failure to turn years of investment pledges into meaningful economic growth and sustainable jobs.”

Between 2021 and 2025, R452.38 billion has been pledged across Limpopo’s first five annual Investment Conferences.

Of this, only R71.1 billion has so far materialised, representing just 15.7% of the total amount pledged over five years.

Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba said at the latest conference that investment commitments must translate into tangible projects that grow businesses and create jobs.

Smalle questioned how the Premier planned to make this happen as the province’s municipalities find themselves increasingly unable to provide water, electricity, and infrastructure.

“Businesses cannot be expected to invest and expand where water and electricity supplies are unreliable, sewage runs down streets, roads deteriorate, and municipal infrastructure is neglected or stolen,” Smalle said.

“Years of cadre deployment, corruption, and financial mismanagement have weakened municipal capacity, driven out technical skills and left essential infrastructure without proper maintenance.”

Despite the province’s potential for agriculture, mining, and tourism, Limpopo’s annual economic growth averaged just 0.6% between 2015 and 2024.

The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey placed the province’s official unemployment rate at 32.0%, with expanded unemployment rising to 46.7%.

According to migration data from Stats SA and the LPG’s own Strategic Plan, people are increasingly migrating from Limpopo to Gauteng in search of better employment and economic opportunities.

“Fixing local government means ending cadre deployment, restoring technical capacity, enforcing sound financial management, maintaining infrastructure, and holding those responsible for failure accountable,” Smalle said.

“The success of Limpopo’s investment conferences must be measured not by billions pledged, but by investments realised, businesses growing and sustainable jobs created.”