The National Empowerment Fund (NEF), in partnership with the Northern Cape provincial government, has launched and showcased eight black-owned enterprises as part of the Northern Cape Investment and Jobs Conference currently under way.

The launch, which took place on April 13, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the NEF and the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, aimed at accelerating enterprise development, unlocking investment and driving inclusive economic growth.

The eight businesses launched operate across key sectors of the provincial economy, including construction, manufacturing, tourism, property development, agroprocessing and environmental services.

The enterprises are civil construction company Onkabetse Civils and Mining, concrete product supplier Wurthmore Concrete, events and hospitality company Eden Est (House of Eden), private accommodation provider Sea of Mountains, property development companies J&M Growth Properties and Proud Heritage Properties, construction and plant hire company Gem Con and wildlife rescue company i4 Wildlife.

Collectively, these investments have already contributed to the creation of 229 new jobs, while sustaining a further 110 jobs, demonstrating the tangible impact of development finance in enabling businesses to grow and communities to benefit.

The event was attended by Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul, alongside senior government leadership, including Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Venus Blennies-Magage, Education MEC Abraham Vosloo, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Human Affairs MEC Bentley Vass, Social Development MEC Mase Manopole and Economic Development and Tourism head of department Thami Mabija, as well as key stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

Delivering the opening address, NEF CEO Mziwabantu Dayimani emphasised the importance of partnerships in unlocking meaningful economic participation.

“When the NEF first began engaging in the Northern Cape, our investment footprint was limited – not owing to a lack of entrepreneurial potential, but because structured collaboration and access were not yet firmly in place.

“Through our partnership with the provincial government, we have since approved 22 investments across key sectors, unlocking real opportunities anchored in local ownership and long-term economic participation,” Dayimani said.

He added that development finance must go beyond transactions.

“Economic transformation does not happen through policy statements alone. It happens when entrepreneurs are given the tools, capital and support to build businesses that can hire, grow and sustain livelihoods. This is how investment becomes jobs, and jobs become dignity.”

In his address, Saul highlighted the strategic importance of partnerships in driving provincial growth.

“The Northern Cape’s growth trajectory depends on strong partnerships that bring together government, development finance institutions, and the private sector. Through initiatives such as this, we are creating pathways for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to participate meaningfully in the economy and positioning the province as a growing investment destination,” Saul said.

He elaborated on the role of economic transformation and MSMEs in achieving the provincial economic growth target of R200-billion in GDP and 60 000 additional sustainable jobs by 2029.

The Northern Cape has increasingly emerged as a strategic investment frontier, underpinned by its strengths in mining, renewable energy, agriculture and infrastructure development.

The NEF highlights that its partnership with the province, particularly through the Northern Cape Blended Small, Medium-sized and Microenterprises Fund, has played a critical role in unlocking deal flow and supporting black-owned enterprises to enter and scale within these sectors.

The NEF adds that the launch of the eight investees reflects a broader shift towards inclusive industrialisation, in which funding is not only deployed but also translated into productive economic activity, job creation, and sustainable businesses.

As the Investment Conference continues, the NEF reaffirms its commitment to expanding its footprint in the province and working with partners to build a dynamic, inclusive and opportunity-driven economy.