Thami Ntuli says KwaZulu-Natal is steadily rebuilding its economy following the twin shocks of the 2021 unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, with government now focused on creating a more inclusive and resilient growth model.
Delivering his State of the Province Address in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, Ntuli said the province is not merely recovering lost ground but restructuring its economy to support long-term sustainability and broader participation.
He reported that the provincial economy grew by 1.8% last year and is forecast to expand by 2.1% this year, supported by improvements in energy supply and port operations.
The premier revealed that more than R100 billion in investment pledges have been secured from domestic and international investors. These projects are expected to create over 100,000 jobs and stimulate activity across several sectors.
Tourism, identified as a key economic driver, also delivered strong results. Ntuli said the festive season alone contributed an estimated R13 billion to the province’s gross domestic product, buoyed by high numbers of local and international visitors. Between mid-2025 quarters, the province recorded a net gain of about 54,000 jobs, boosting household incomes and consumer spending.
To address investor concerns and accelerate project implementation, Ntuli announced the establishment of an investment office within the Office of the Premier. The unit will streamline approvals, improve coordination and reduce bureaucratic delays.
He said engagements with the business community highlighted persistent challenges, including regulatory bottlenecks, fragmented decision-making and administrative red tape, which risk slowing down major projects and undermining confidence.
“We took these concerns seriously,” Ntuli said. “The absence of a central coordinating mechanism contributed to inefficiencies and uncertainty. Decisive institutional reform was required to unlock investment and fast-track economic recovery.”
Officials say the new measures are aimed at ensuring that growth translates into tangible benefits for communities across the province.