On 17 March 2026, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition congratulated the newly appointed Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Advisory Board. The Minister expressed confidence in its ability to make a meaningful contribution to strengthening the SEZ Programme and advancing South Africa’s broader economic transformation.
The Minister addressed an induction workshop on the day, hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) for the newly-appointed SEZ Advisory Board in Johannesburg.
The purpose of the workshop was to orientate the newly appointed advisory Board on the SEZ Act, 2014, the Spatial Industrial Development Strategy, the department’s industrial policy, and the Board’s and members’ roles and responsibilities. This is aimed at ensuring that board members develop a deep, shared understanding and appreciation of the SEZ Act, 2014 and the SEZ Programme.
“Your appointment reflects both your expertise and the critical role that the Board plays in shaping South Africa’s industrial future. The induction is foundational and not just procedural. The purpose is to ensure that the Board and all its members have a shared understanding of the Special Economic Zones legislative framework, the Spatial Industrial Development Strategy, and the broader implementation plan that guides the SEZ Programme in South Africa,” the Minister said.
“Historically, the SEZ Advisory Board has also played a critical role in strengthening governance and accountability within the SEZ Programme, and in guiding the transition from the Industrial Development Zone model to the broader SEZ framework. As we begin a new term of this Board, we must build on those foundations while responding to the evolving economic realities facing our country,” the Minister added.
The SEZ Advisory Board was established through legislation to provide strategic advice to the Trade, Industry and Competition Minister on the development and implementation of the SEZ Programme. Its responsibilities are extensive and central to the programme’s success.
“Among your key functions are advising the Minister on policy and strategy, monitoring the implementation of the SEZ policy framework, reviewing applications for SEZ designation, assessing the performance of existing zones, and making recommendations on investment promotion and operational matters,” explained the Minister
According to the Minister, these responsibilities place the Board at the intersection of policy, governance, and economic development, and therefore, the Board is not merely an oversight structure but a strategic instrument that helps ensure SEZs deliver tangible outcomes for the South African economy.
“To date, South Africa has designated twelve special economic zones, of which nine are already operational. As at the end of the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, these operational zones host 224 investors, representing a cumulative investment value of approximately R31.744 billion and supporting 28,821 jobs. This progress reflects the programme’s steady expansion. Over the eight years from the 2018/19 financial year to date, operational SEZ investments have recorded net cumulative growth of approximately R17.234 billion,” reflected the Minister.
Additionally, the Minister said these numbers tell an encouraging story, demonstrate that the SEZ model can attract both domestic and international investors, and show that targeted industrial infrastructure can stimulate productive activity. The Minister continued by confirming that SEZs can meaningfully contribute to job creation and that their true significance lies in their ability to reshape South Africa’s economic geography.
“The country is facing real challenges, which are unemployment, slow growth, and structural inequality. However, we also possess significant opportunities, abundant natural resources, strong institutions, and a strategic position within the African continent. The SEZs afford us a practical mechanism to convert these opportunities into tangible outcomes,” added the Minister.
The Minister also emphasised that SEZs could catalyse industrial investment, unlock regional potential, strengthen export capacity, and support the transformation of the South African economic landscape.