South Africa’s special economic zones (SEZs) will take centre stage as they compete for top honours at the inaugural Special Economic Zones Achievement Awards that will hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) at the Durban International Convention Centre on 16 July 2026.
The awards ceremony forms part of the two-day International Special Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference, taking place from 16–17 July 2026, under the theme Reigniting Industrialisation through World-class Special Economic Zones.
The conference will bring together a broad range of stakeholders from South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including representatives from government, business and international SEZs experts, to share insights on the role of SEZs as a catalyst for industrial development.
According to the Acting Deputy Director-General of Investment and Spatial Industrial Development at the dtic, Mr Maoto Molefane, the primary objective of the Special Economic Zones Achievement Awards is to recognise best practices adopted by SEZs in advancing the objectives and goals of the Special Economic Zones Programme, which the department has been implementing since 2014.
The programme aims to accelerate industrialisation, boost exports and attract both foreign and domestic investment by establishing designated, tax-incentivised areas with world class infrastructure. To date, it has unlocked more than R31 billion in investment for the South African economy from 224 companies, creating over 28 000 direct jobs. The 12 SEZs designated as part of the programme have shown a positive trajectory in the number of investors operating in the zones and the jobs created.
“Through these inaugural awards, we will recognise and reward SEZs excellence in leadership and management, good governance, job creation, export growth, investments enabler and attraction, integration of small and medium enterprises into SEZs value chains, localisation and good business ethics. In essence, we will be acknowledging excellence, innovation and impact across SEZs at different stages of development,” says Molefane.
He adds that the award categories will focus on recognising strategic programme implementation by individual Chief Executive Officers of the zones, the attraction and retention of investors into SEZs, and investors’ contribution to the economy through job creation and industrial growth in South Africa.
“Beyond the SEZs themselves, we are confident that these awards will help raise the profile of the SEZs Programme among potential investors by acknowledging service excellence, showcasing the programme’s achievements and demonstrating the importance of good governance,” says Molefane.
The most coveted of the six awards will be the Special Economic Zone of the Year Award, presented to the overall top-performing zone.
The awards ceremony will be preceded by the official opening of an exhibition by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, and the MEC for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Reverend Musa Zondi. Companies operating in the SEZs will showcase their products to conference attendees at the exhibition.
Media Enquiries:
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)
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