South Africa has the largest economy in Africa and is renowned for being a major industrial power and regional world leader in the production and export of minerals. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) comprises approximately 25% of Africa’s GDP.
Since the political reforms of 1994, South Africa's economy has been undergoing structural transformation aimed at promoting domestic competitiveness, growth and employment as well as increasing the economy's outward orientation.
South Africa's economy has been in an upswing since September 1999 - the longest period of economic expansion in the country's recorded history.
National government is driving a multi-billion rand programme to upgrade the country's fixed infrastructure, primarily through state-owned companies: the logistics group, Transnet and the electricity utility, Eskom.
South Africa ranks 23rd in telecommunications development in the world with an almost completely digital network.
The country leads the continent in industrial output (40% of total output) and mineral production (45%) and generates most of Africa's electricity (over 50%).
