The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa officially launched a monumental R120-billion catalytic investment and industrialization project on 9 October 2026, marking a decisive step forward in the province’s economic recovery, industrial expansion and employment strategy.
The project represents far more than a capital injection. It is an active industrial strategy designed to build factories, mordernise infrastructure and create lasting opportunities for the people of Maluti-A-Phofung and the entire Free State Province.
The President highlighted that the launch comprises three investment initiatives amounting to a total value of R120-billion.
“The proposed YJC renewable energy project represents an investment of approximately R100-billion and has the potential to create 6,500 jobs.
“The planned Joylong Automotive Manufacturing project, with an investment of approximately R5.5-billion, is expected to create 1,500 direct jobs over five years and produce up to 8,000 electric vehicles per year.
“The Walk of Life Apple Juice Concentrate Plant, representing approximately R330-million in investment, is expected to create 100 permanent jobs and approximately 600 seasonal employment opportunities.
“These projects demonstrate the type of economic activity we need to build: investment that creates productive capacity, develops local value chains, strengthens exports, and expands employment,” the President said.
The President alluded that the government objective must move beyond primary production towards agro-processing, beneficiation, packaging, manufacturing, and market access.
The planned electric vehicle manufacturing investment provides an opportunity to position the Free State within the emerging green economy and new-energy industrial value chain.
He further indicated that The Walk of Life investment is significant not only because of the jobs it will create, but also because it demonstrates how agricultural production can be connected to industrial processing and value addition.
“Similarly, our industrialisation agenda must support the transition towards new technologies and industries. The planned electric vehicle manufacturing investment provides an opportunity to position the Free State within the emerging green economy and new-energy industrial value chain,” the President concluded.
Investment opportunities in the Free State
South Africa’s most centrally-located province, the Free State, has all the ingredients that an investor could need. The Free State has the natural resources, the infrastructure and incentives for investors in every conceivable sector, from renewable energy to manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.
