Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has used the South Africa-China Electricity and Energy Investment Conference in Beijing to position the province as a future hub for mineral beneficiation, manufacturing and industrialisation, saying Limpopo must move beyond exporting raw minerals and instead create jobs through local value addition.
Ramathuba is part of the South African delegation led by Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa at the investment conference, which brings together government leaders, investors, energy companies and industrial partners from South Africa and China to explore investment opportunities in electricity generation, energy infrastructure, critical minerals and manufacturing. The conference began on Tuesday, August 4, and concludes on Thursday, August 6.
Addressing delegates in Beijing, the Premier said Limpopo’s economy reveals enormous untapped industrial potential.
She pointed out that while mining contributes 19.1% to the provincial economy, manufacturing accounts for only 3.6%, highlighting a significant gap that presents opportunities for industrial expansion and employment creation.
“The sizeable gap between mining and manufacturing presents an opportunity to drive industrialisation and retain more value from the province’s abundant mineral resources,” Ramathuba said.
She explained that Limpopo intends to process and beneficiate its minerals within the province instead of exporting raw materials, with the province’s Special Economic Zones expected to play a central role in attracting manufacturing investment.
According to Ramathuba, reliable electricity infrastructure will serve as the catalyst for industrial development, allowing investors to establish processing plants, factories and downstream industries that will strengthen local value chains, promote skills development and create sustainable employment.
“Limpopo’s future lies not only in extracting min
erals, but in transforming them into products that create jobs and build industries right here at home,” she told delegates.
The Premier added that coordinated support from government, together with investor facilitation, would help lay the foundation for a manufacturing-led economy capable of driving inclusive economic growth across the province.
The conference forms part of South Africa’s broader strategy to deepen economic cooperation with China, one of the country’s largest trading partners. Discussions are centred on expanding investment in renewable energy, electricity infrastructure, mineral beneficiation, manufacturing, technology transfer and industrial development.
For South Africa, the expected benefits include increased Chinese investment in energy infrastructure, improved electricity security, accelerated industrialisation, expanded manufacturing capacity, technology transfer, skills development and the creation of thousands of new jobs. Government is also seeking investment that will help reduce the country’s reliance on exporting raw minerals by encouraging local processing and manufacturing.
Although no major investment agreements have yet been announced during the conference, delegates have so far reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in renewable energy, electricity generation, power transmission, critical minerals, industrial development and investment promotion.
The engagements are also expected to pave the way for future partnerships between Chinese investors and South African provinces, including Limpopo, as the country seeks to accelerate economic growth through energy-led industrialisation.
