The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and
Tourism (DEDECT) is advancing its investment attraction programme at the 2026 Investing in
African Mining Indaba, where a series of bilateral engagements led by MEC Bitsa Lenkopane
yielded tangible outcomes and culminated in several strategic investment opportunities
towards industrialization.
The province’s participation reflects a deliberate effort to chart a new path for investment that
places communities at the centre of economic activity and ensures that local beneficiaries play
an active and meaningful role in the provincial economy.
During the Indaba, MEC Lenkopane and Head of Department Mr. Relebohile Mofokane have
been engaging industry leaders, investors, and partners across the exhibition floor, using
every interaction to profile the North West as a competitive and investment-ready province.
MEC’s walkabout through the exhibition hall created opportunities for continuous dialogue with
mining companies, technology innovators, financiers, and other role players, while also
showcasing the depth of investment opportunities at the North West Province exhibition stall.
These engagements highlighted district-level strengths and emphasised the province’s
readiness to welcome transformative investment.
The MEC also held several strategic meetings with investors and partners. Day one included
fruitful engagements with Glencore Empire Investment Bank, Shaanxi Non-Ferrous Metals
Group, Valterra Platinum, Sibanye-Stillwater, and Limpopo Provincial Government. Day two
consisted of bilateral meetings with Glencore, Free State Provincial Government, and many
others who are actively working with the department to advance economic interests. The
sessions explored investment prospects in mineral beneficiation, manufacturing, renewable
energy, agro-processing, and community development initiatives. Through these
engagements, MEC reinforced that the North West is land ready, infrastructure ready, SEZ
ready, and Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) ready, with a portfolio of opportunities geared
toward job creation, economic diversification, and inclusive local growth.
A notable feature of the first day was a high-level bilateral meeting with Glencore CEO, Mr.
Jappie Fullard. During these bilateral and other meetings, parties reaffirmed their commitment
to strengthening collaboration, expanding the province’s investment pipeline, and advancing
the development of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The discussions underscored a shared
vision to promote local industrial participation and ensure that mining-related investments and
post-mining economic plans and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria bring
direct benefits to communities across the province.
MEC Lenkopane emphasised the significance of the province’s mission at the Indaba, noting
that DEDECT is actively reshaping the investment landscape to open new opportunities for
local stakeholders. MEC highlighted that this platform creates unmatched opportunities for the
province to foster strategic investment partnerships, drive local market expansion,
beneficiation, explore post mining opportunities, and secure long-term sustainable growth
within the Province.
With over 1,400 mining companies, 1,300 investors, and more than 300 exhibitors, this is the
premier platform where deals are made and where both power and capital converge, creating
unmatched opportunities for strategic partnerships, market expansion, and long-term
sustainable growth.
The MEC further highlighted that the province is committed to building partnerships that drive
sustainable development and broaden economic participation. Through deliberate investment
facilitation, the Department is laying the groundwork for communities, cooperatives, SMMEs,
and local suppliers to participate more fully in the province’s economic value chains.
As the Mining Indaba continues, the North West delegation remains focused on attracting
investment, expanding opportunities, promoting local beneficiation, and positioning the
province as a destination where every investment opportunity translates into real, measurable
development on the ground.
END //
Issued by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and
Tourism.
For inquiries, contact:
Thomas Matlapeng – 083 687 3649
OR
Mr. Jeremiah Matebesi
Director: Communication and IT Services
072 333 0325
Email: JeremiahMatebesi@nwpg.gov.za
Twitter: @nwpg_dedect / Facebook: @nwdedect