The provincial economy is highly diverse with significant activity in mining, agriculture, stainless-steel production, petrochemicals, pulp and paper, manufacturing and tourism. Mpumalanga’s position and resources make it a valuable transport and logistics hub.
In addition to good infrastructure, abundant natural resources and fertile soils, the province also boasts great scenic beauty, making it a desirable place in which to live and work.
The Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) facilitates investment in the province and is always keen to talk to potential investors.
Maputo Development Corridor
The Maputo Development Corridor is a Spatial Development Initiative linking Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Nkomazi SEZ and the Port of Maputo in Mozambique. The corridor provides investors and exporters with good access to the markets of Africa & the Middle East, Asia & Australasia and Europe & the Americas.
The MDC incorporates road, rail, the SEZ, border posts, port and terminal facilities along one of the most industrialised strips in Southern Africa. The longest part of the corridor runs through Mpumalanga Province.
Infrastructure along the corridor has been upgraded and it provides investors and exporters with good access to the markets of East Africa, the Indian Ocean rim and East Asia.
The MDC forms part of a greater transport axis that seeks to link the Atlantic and Indian oceans via Southern Africa and a network of corridors exists in the region.
Special Economic Zone
The Nkomazi Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is positioned on the Maputo Development Corridor in the border town of Komatipoort (which straddles Mpumalanga Province and Mozambique).
The SEZ offers numerous opportunities for those with export-oriented businesses – bonded warehouse, distribution centre, container yard, truck stop and petrol depot.
Other identified opportunities in the SEZ include mining services, mineral beneficiation, agro-processing (which could leverage the provincial citrus and sugar industries) and activities relating to import, distribution and local manufacture of automobiles.
SEZs are a key initiative of the South African government and the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) is making a package of tax incentives available to qualifying companies located in approved SEZs.
Invest or trade in Mpumalanga
For advice on investing in or trading with Mpumalanga, contact the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA).
