KZN secures R100 billion investment to rebuild its economy after July unrest and COVID-19

Premier Thami Ntuli announces R100 billion in investment pledges as KwaZulu-Natal’s economy steadily recovers from the 2021 unrest and COVID-19, creating over 100,000 jobs across key sectors. KwaZulu-Natal PremierThami Ntulisays KwaZulu-Natal is steadily recovering from the devastation caused by theJuly 2021unrest and theCOVID-19 pandemic, with the provincial government focusing on rebuilding the economy on a stronger, more inclusive foundation. Ntuli’s emphasised that provincial government has sought not just to restore what was lost, but to transform the province’s economic outlook with deliberate, long-term strategies aimed at creating sustainable growth.

In his SOPA on Friday, the premier emphasised the province’s economic recovery efforts, which have seen promising results despite significant challenges. “In 2025, our provincial economy grew by 1.8%, slightly above the national average, which is encouraging given the obstacles we’ve faced,” said Ntuli. “The forecast for 2026 shows further improvement, with a 2.1% projected increase, driven by improvements in key infrastructure, particularly in rail and port operations.” Despite these positive signs, Ntuli acknowledged the ongoing issues that the province continues to face.

“Our economy still contends with structural constraints, such as electricity disruptions and inefficiencies in freight and logistics,” he explained. “However, investor confidence is steadily rebuilding. In late 2025, KwaZulu-Natal surpassed R100 billion in investment pledges, which is a testament to the resilience of our economic strategy.” The investments, according to the Premier, are expected to generate over 100,000 jobs, providing a much-needed boost to employment across various sectors including tourism, manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture. Tourism, which is one of the province’s key economic pillars, saw strong performance, with the festive season alone contributing an estimated R13 billion to KwaZulu-Natal’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025.