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Select Committee on Trade Calls for More Jobs and Increased Investment Delivery at COEGA SEZ
The Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade has called for an urgent conversion of long-standing investment commitments into tangible jobs, exports and industrial output at Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
The committee is currently conducting a weeklong oversight visit in the Gqeberha area to assess infrastructure networks around the Coega SEZ and the Markman Industrial Park.
The committee Chairperson, Ms Sonja Boshoff, said a key focus of the visit was the progress of large-scale strategic projects, including the green hydrogen and green ammonia initiative. “These projects have attracted strong international interest and have advanced to the engineering and planning phase. The committee has requested firm timelines for construction, local beneficiation and industrial participation. We cannot have a situation where such infrastructure projects are perpetually kept in plans and reports. We want urgent implementation.”
Ms Boshoff emphasised that announcements and ribbon-cuttings are no longer sufficient, stating: “Government has invested heavily to create the enabling environment. The private sector has made commitments. The time has now come to see operational results, with real jobs, local procurement opportunities and improved export performance. Coega must be more than a strategic asset on paper; it must be a driver of inclusive growth in reality.”
Coega is South Africa's largest SEZ and has received R4.2 billion in funding from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, of which R2.5 billion has already been disbursed. This makes it one of the largest public investments in industrial infrastructure in the country.
This state funding has enabled Coega to attract R12.5 billion in private-sector investment from both domestic and international companies, positioning the SEZ as one of the most significant public-private partnerships in South Africa's industrialisation programme. The committee made it clear that these partnerships must now translate into measurable outcomes – factories in operation, products being exported and South Africans being employed at scale.
“Similarly, the Coega Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Manufacturing Precinct, supported by Aspen Pharmacare, has been identified as a key driver of Africa's health sovereignty. While Aspen's existing facility in Gqeberha is operational, the broader pharmaceutical precinct within Coega remains in early development. We have requested clarity on investor readiness, infrastructure timelines and projected job creation,” Ms Boshoff said.
She also noted that the visit comes at a time when the Eastern Cape faces one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, exceeding 40%, and is confronting additional economic strain from recent retrenchments in the automotive sector, including the closure of the Goodyear plant in Kariega.
Ms Boshoff stressed that the Coega SEZ must be actively positioned to absorb economic shocks and drive resilience. “This SEZ cannot exist in isolation. It must be the engine room that drives industrial diversification, attracts new investment and safeguards South African jobs in the face of global economic uncertainty,” she said.
In addition to monitoring the national department's investment, the committee engaged with the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Eastern Cape Economic Development Agency to assess their contribution to investment attraction, provincial competitiveness and integration of township and rural economies into SEZ value chains.
The committee also called for a proactive response to global trade disruptions, including the recent announcement by the US administration of a proposed 30% export tax, which could affect South African manufactured exports. “Detailed mitigation strategies will be required to assure investors and protect South African jobs,” the Chairperson said.
Chairperson Boshoff concluded: “Coega is a test case for South Africa's ability to compete globally. With strong public investment, growing private participation and strategic sector opportunities in green energy and pharmaceuticals, this SEZ has every ingredient for success. What we expect now is delivery, delivery in jobs, delivery in exports, delivery in industrial capacity, and delivery for the people of South Africa.”
The committee will be in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality until Thursday.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
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Navigating South Africa’s Energy Challenges: Insights for the C&I Sector
In South Africa's commercial and industrial (C&I) landscape, energy-intensive industries face mounting pressures from rising costs and the push toward sustainability. As the country grapples with transitioning from chronic energy insecurity to greater independence, sectors like mining, manufacturing and heavy industry are pivotal in driving economic resilience. Investments in renewables, storage solutions and innovative infrastructure are not just operational necessities but catalysts for broader growth, enabling companies to mitigate risks, reduce their carbon footprint and enhance competitiveness amid changing global trade dynamics.
Against this background, the EIUG Conference 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/47i0Ujc) emerges as a key platform for unpacking this evolving energy ecosystem. In the context of South Africa's electricity market reforms, the event delves into strategies for achieving reliable and affordable power. For instance, discussions on the next phase of market liberalisation—led by figures like Monde Bala, CEO of the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA)—offer clarity on how C&I players can navigate regulatory changes and unlock grid capacity.
“South Africa must accelerate its transition from energy insecurity to energy independence,” says Fanele Mondi, CEO of the EIUG. “The C&I sector plays a catalytic role in this shift – not only through investment and innovation, but by creating a resilient foundation for economic growth. This event convenes the right people, ideas and capabilities to make that transition a reality.”
Showcasing real-world advancements, the conference highlights transformative projects that demonstrate pathways to decarbonisation and grid stability. Examples include large-scale solar wheeling initiatives alongside investments in data centres and renewable developments. These case studies illustrate how C&I-led innovations can scale up, offering answers to questions around technical feasibility, financing and integration with existing infrastructure.
Download the programme (https://apo-opa.co/4ockMv2)
Exploration of emerging technologies further equips attendees with options for diversifying the energy mix. Sessions on corporate energy storage, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Gas-to-Power—drawing from leading organisations like CSIR, SANEDI, NECSA and the South African Oil & Gas Alliance (SAOGA)—break down viable alternatives, helping companies evaluate which solutions best align with their sustainability goals and cost constraints.
Leadership perspectives underscore the shift from viewing energy as a risk to a strategic enabler. A leader's panel reframes energy security as a growth driver, while deeper dives into market design and power trading tackle how to foster a competitive environment amidst all the change.
Global influences, such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), add another layer of complexity for export-oriented sectors like iron, steel, aluminium and cement. Input from TIPS, The Manufacturing Circle and various EIUG members explore trade implications and adaptive responses, providing context for C&I entities on policy alignment and corporate strategies to maintain market access.
The keynote focus lies in integrating interconnected risks, such as water and energy management, where industries are increasingly adopting holistic frameworks to build operational resilience. The panel discussion provides practical perspectives on balancing these elements, addressing common queries from C&I firms about optimising resources in constrained environments.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.
For registration enquiries, contact:
Vuyisa Mfobo
vuyisa.mfobo@wearevuka.com
For sponsorship or hosted buyer application (https://apo-opa.co/42N0i3B) queries, contact:
Marcel du Toit
marcel.dutoit@wearevuka.com
About the Conference:
The EIUG Conference is co-located with the C&I Energy + Storage Summit (https://Energy-StorageSummit.com), 4 – 5 November 2025 at The Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa: https://apo-opa.co/47i0Ujc
Watch this short video about the EIUG Conference and why it's a must-attend event for South Africa's industrial energy community: https://apo-opa.co/47hcQkX
About the EIUG:
The Energy Intensive Users Group of Southern Africa (EIUG) represents major energy consumers, advocating for policies that support secure, sustainable and competitive energy systems. Learn more at https://EIUG.org.za/
About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group bridges Africa's energy, mining, infrastructure, mobility, green economy and technology sectors through events, content and networking. As venture partners to The Global Trust Project, founders of the WomenIN empowerment platform and leaders of the NPO Go Green Africa, VUKA contributes to sustainable progress across the continent. Learn more at https://WeAreVuka.com
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