‘If Gauteng was a country it would be fifth largest in Africa’

Measured by GDP, if Gauteng was a country, it would be the fifth largest economy in Africa and the 58th largest in the world. In per capita terms it would rank around 50th although South Africa as a whole ranks only 73rd. The heart of the South African economy, the province accounts for a significant proportion of value added by a number of sectors contributing some 35% of the gross value added in manufacturing alone in 2010. It accounts for between 20% and 50% of value added across several manufacturing subsectors. By one estimate Gauteng accounts for just under half of national production of machinery and equipment other than cars, and over 40% of transport equipment, heavy chemicals, financial services and furniture. It is therefore no surprise that the province is key to supporting government’s overall development and growth objectives, says Ebrahim Patel, minister of economic development. “Gauteng has the potential to drive the greening of our economy, which provides a host of opportunities around technology and innovation, local manufacture and the building of green products, infrastructure or processes. “The province’s depth in manufacturing competencies and its innovation culture mean that it should be able to take advantage of these new opportunities, with cutting-edge manufacturing industries.”