Pretoria: South Africa is positioning itself as the continent’s digital and investment powerhouse, using its economic resilience and advanced infrastructure to attract global capital and drive Africa’s growth story. Speaking at the AFSIC – SA Investment Summit held in London, Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong stated that South Africa is ‘forging ahead, breaking new ground, and inspiring new ways’, despite persistent global economic headwinds.
According to South African Government News Agency, Morolong emphasized that ‘resilience, reinvention and opportunity are the hallmarks of the South African story’. The country continues to reform, diversify, and digitize its economy, while driving investment into sectors that power inclusive and sustainable growth. South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) stands at about R7 trillion (pound 348.5 billion), making it Africa’s most globally integrated and diversified economy, supported by strong governance, modern infrastructure, and a sophisticated financial system.
South Africa hosts over 180 Fortune Global 500 companies and leads the continent in digital development. The digital economy is projected to account for up to 20% of GDP by 2025, nearly doubling its 2020 contribution, driven by rapid growth in fintech, e-commerce, and cloud services. Exports amount to R2.04 trillion (pound 101.7 billion) against imports of R1.94 trillion (pound 97.1 billion), reflecting the country’s industrial depth and global competitiveness.
Morolong highlighted that digital infrastructure is central to South Africa’s growth strategy, positioning the country as a regional hub for technology and data traffic. He mentioned significant investments in submarine cable systems such as Seacom 2.0, Equiano, 2Africa, and WACS, which connect South Africa to Europe, Asia, and the Americas, along with expanding 4G and 5G networks.
The data centre market is thriving, led by firms such as Teraco, Equinix, Africa Data Centres, Vantage, and NTT, which support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics. ‘Our infrastructure investments are laying the foundations of a continental digital corridor that powers innovation, trade, and job creation,’ Morolong said.
The Deputy Minister outlined growth opportunities for global investors across South Africa’s digital and green economies, including data centres, cloud services, broadband connectivity, 5G-enabled infrastructure, e-commerce, logistics, fintech, digital payments, and renewable energy for ICT operations. The government’s R900 billion infrastructure pipeline to 2027, along with policy certainty and regulatory reform, has strengthened investor confidence and created a ‘predictable, innovation-ready environment’.
Morolong emphasized that South Africa’s geographic and economic position offers investors direct access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – a market of 1.3 billion consumers with a combined GDP of more than $3 trillion. The country’s banking systems, fintech hubs, and ICT networks provide a foundation for cross-border innovation and digital trade.
Concluding his address, Morolong stated, ‘South Africa is not merely open for business – we are open and ready for sustainable partnerships.’ He expressed a vision for an Africa that trades in data, design, and digital value, with South Africa as the driving force of its digital and industrial renaissance.