On 3 March 2026, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau published a 30-day public consultation notice for stakeholders and the public to submit written comments on the proposed designation of the Vaal Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
The Gauteng Provincial Government, through its Department of Finance and Economic Development, submitted the proposed Vaal SEZ application to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) in April 2025. The proposed designation of the Vaal SEZ is in terms of Section 23 of the Special Economic Zones Act No 16 of 2014.
The proposed SEZ development will be undertaken on land parcels identified in all three local municipalities in the Sedibeng District, amounting to a total 817ha in extent.
The Vaal SEZ will build its business on the back of market demand from the following market sectors:
- Energy with a focus on renewable energy components manufacturing
- Green hydrogen hub, fuel cell manufacturing
- Metallurgical manufacturing with focus on green steel
- Agro-processing, including cannabis processing
- Trade Zone and Agri Zone linked to the Heidelberg Airport, electronics, aerospace and aviation, logistics (Lesedi land parcel)
- General manufacturing.
The proposed Vaal SEZ has managed to build a compellingly strong investor pipeline. This clearly portends an unserved market demand for world-class industrial infrastructure investment in the district. In addition, the proposed SEZ already has priority investors, who are ready to break-ground in the 2026/27 financial year.
Investment in the proposed Vaal SEZ is anticipated to significantly enhance employment prospects in the region throughout both the construction and operational phases. The expected contribution of the Vaal SEZ development to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to be R4 billion in Phase I and R10.773 billion once fully developed.
During the construction period in Phase I, the project is expected to create about 4 302 direct jobs and 1 305 indirect jobs. An additional 5 902 direct jobs will be created during the operational stage.
the dtic is planning to host a public hearing in the district during this month, with the specific location to be announced shortly. The general public is also invited to send written comments to the dtic via email at SEZEquiries@thedtic.gov.za. The deadline for submitting comments is 20 April 2026. The gazette notice is available on the following link https://www.gpwonline.co.za/government-gazettes/
Enquiries:
Kaamil Alli – Ministerial Spokesperson
Mobile: +27 82 520 6813
WhatsApp: +27 82 520 6813
E-mail: KAlli@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
Follow us on X: @the_dtic
OR
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
Follow us on X: @the_dtic
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