Mpumalanga is a province in eastern South Africa, bordering the nations of eSwatini and Mozambique. A large, growing domestic market and excellent access, supported by world-class infrastructure, to the East African and Indian Ocean markets through Maputo Port, makes Mpumalanga an ideal investment location for export-driven manufacturing and production.
Mpumalanga is one of South Africa’s most productive and important agricultural regions and through strategic investments in the Mpumalanga International Food Market (MIFM) and the Nkomazi Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) the province is set to become a major force in food production and distribution.
Mpumalanga’s sophisticated and well-segmented tourism and hospitality sector is ripe for investment and expansion.
Mpumalanga economy
The provincial economy of Mpumalanga is exceptionally diverse. Established industries in the province include Mining, Stainless Steel, Petrochemicals, Pulp and Paper, Ferro-Alloys, Energy Generation, Tourism, Agriculture and Agro-Processing.
Companies in these sectors include global giants in their industries such as Sasol (energy and chemicals), Sappi (paper, packaging, pulp and forests), Samancor Chrome (ferrochrome), Exxaro, ARM and Glencore (mining).
The province’s commercial farmers are among the most efficient in the world, exporting huge quantities of everything from citrus to macadamia nuts. Columbus Stainless is the only stainless-steel manufacturer on the continent.
Governance
The province has three district municipalities and 17 local municipalities. Several agencies which promote the regional economy report to the Mpumalanga Provincial Government. Large parts of the province comprises extensive rural villages that form part of areas run by traditional authorities.
Transport
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Mbombela plus many airfields such as Middelburg. Extensive freight rail network, busiest in South Africa. The N4 highway (Maputo Corridor) is an east-west spine of a highly developed road system.
Mpumalanga’s strategic location makes it a valuable transport and logistics hub:
- Maputo Development Corridor enhances logistics
- Preferential access to lucrative EU market
- Proximity to South Africa’s economic heartland
- Access to regional SADC market: 360-million population
- Access to deepwater Port of Maputo
Maputo Development Corridor
The Maputo Development Corridor is South Africa’s leading Spatial Development Initiative (SDI), linking Mpumalanga Province, Gauteng Province and the Nkomazi Special Economic Zone with the deepwater Port of Maputo in Mozambique.
This efficient corridor provides investors and exporters with good access to the export markets of South East Africa, the Indian Ocean Rim and Far East Asia. The Maputo Development Corridor comprises road, rail, Special Economic Zone, border posts, port and terminal facilities.
Mpumalanga’s diverse and resource-rich economy makes it one of the most attractive trade and investment destinations in South East Africa.
The corridor runs through the most highly industrialised and productive regions of Southern Africa. The Corridor has been extensively upgraded to international standards and links the industrial heartland of South Africa to its nearest port in Maputo, Mozambique, which is one of the fastest-growing countries in South East Africa.
Unique selling proposition
- Abundant resources: minerals and agricultural produce
- Established manufacturing infrastructure: smelters, petrochemicals, food processing, paper, sugar
- Strategic location: access to regional and global markets
- Tourism hotspots: the iconic Kruger National Park, world-class reserves, adventure tourism and new UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Mpumalanga International Food Market (MIFM)
- Nkomazi Special Economic Zone (NSEZ)
- The University of Mpumalanga
- Support for Green Economy research and investment
Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency
The Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) is the official Economic Development Agency for the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and an entity of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
MEGA’s primary mandate is to foster the sustainable growth and development of Mpumalanga’s economy through its operational activities of Trade and Investment Promotion, Development Funding, Equity Investments, and Property and Infrastructure Development.
MEGA staff will go out of their way to make the process of investing in Mpumalanga or starting a business in the province easy. MEGA is focussed on customer needs and provides innovative solutions with a high level of service.
Find out more
Contact MEGA to find out more about opportunities in Mpumalanga. Please send MEGA a brief message of introduction and a summary of your business or investment objectives through this secure contact form:
More investment opportunities in Mpumalanga:
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- PPP opportunity to invest in the Blyde River Canyon Cableway Project
- Partnership opportunity in development of hydroelectric power station
- Hotel development opportunity in prime tourism spot
- Investment opportunities in the Agriculture sector
- Investment opportunities in Mpumalanga’s tourism sector
- Invest in the development of a connected urban park in Mbombela, South Africa
Mpumalanga Trade and Investment Profile
Find more details about the economy of Mpumalanga and explore existing opportunities in the region:
