Introduction to the Free State Province
The Free State Province is South Africa’s most centrally located province, with easy access along major national highways to all of the country’s other major centres.
The Free State is blessed with abundant natural resources and tourism assets. Agriculture and gold mining have long been the mainstays of the Free State economy, together with the chemicals complex centred on the operations of Sasol and related companies in the northern section of the province.
Another abundant resource is solar power, and several companies are taking advantages of incentives to establish solar parks in the province. While mining is declining as mines are worked out, a new kind of liquid gold has been discovered in the form of liquid natural gas and helium.
The Free State’s farmers continue to feed the nation and export in large quantities. More than half the nation’s sorghum comes from the province, as does more than 30% of maize, wheat, potatoes and groundnuts. Bothaville is home to one of the biggest annual agricultural markets of its kind, NAMPO Harvest Day.
Two of South Africa’s great rivers form the north-eastern (Vaal River) and southern (Orange River) boundaries of the province. Bloemfontein is the capital of the province and South Africa’s judicial capital. The Vredefort Dome, 10km in diameter, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
New power sources
The Free State province has become attractive for hydro, solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind renewable energy projects due to the existing transmission infrastructure in the province.
There are currently five hydro projects in the province and several solar projects under development or operational. The vast flat, open landscape and good solar-radiation index makes the Free State an ideal destination for solar PV energy projects.
Special Economic Zone and Industrial Parks
The Maluti-a-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAPSEZ) is strategically located on the key N5 and N3 logistics corridors which makes it an ideal investment destination. Sectors prioritised in the zone are logistics, agro-processing, ICT, automotive, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.
The 1 000ha estate is divided into four zones: Agro-processing, light industrial, heavy industrial and a container terminal area.
Investment opportunities
Explore various investment opportunities in the Free State in the 2024 Free State Province Investment Prospectus:
Free State Province Investment Prospectus 2024
Invest in the Free State
Interested in setting up or expanding your business? Contact the investment facilitation team at the Free State Development Corporation with a brief description of your interests and objectives:
