Today, 13 November 2025, the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), it presented its 2024/25 financial year performance highlights and strategic developments driving industrial growth and investment in the Eastern Cape.
The AGM marked the conclusion of ELIDZ’s Vision 2025 strategy, a five-year programme that has strengthened the Zone’s role as a hub of industrial growth, innovation, and socio-economic development in the Eastern Cape.
Financial year 2024/25 demonstrated ELIDZ’s resilience and strategic maturity, achieving 78% of its annual performance targets, maintaining a BBBEE Level 3 rating, and securing its 10th consecutive clean audit.
The Zone has attracted R4.6 billion in new private sector investments, significantly exceeding the annual target of R500 million. These investments include key sectors such as ICT, automotive, agro-processing, and renewable energy, creating over 5,000 operational jobs and contributing to an 11.7% growth in industrial turnover and export-oriented production, well above the target.
“The 2024/25 financial year has been truly transformative for ELIDZ, despite a challenging global economic landscape marked by supply chain disruptions and market volatility. Our achievements reflect the resilience of our industries, the strength of our partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to inclusive growth. Vision 2025 has laid a strong foundation, and as we look to Vision 2030, we remain dedicated to driving industrial expansion that delivers lasting benefits for both our investors and the communities we serve,” said Thembela Zweni, CEO of ELIDZ.
Through its Science and Technology Park (STP), ELIDZ developed four prototypes and commercialised two innovations, reinforcing technology transfer and integration of SMEs into regional value chains.
The Zone maintained five active incubators, nurturing start-ups and small businesses to strengthen their industrial participation. Over 300 beneficiaries received skills training in emerging fields such as ICT, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing, equipping local talent for future industrial demands.
“The past year highlights the strategic impact of ELIDZ in the Eastern Cape. Strong governance remains at the heart of our operations, ensuring that every investment, infrastructure development, and programme delivers lasting economic and social value. As we transition towards Vision 2030, our focus remains on industrial diversification, technological innovation, and creating meaningful opportunities for local communities,” said Motse Mfuleni, Chair of the ELIDZ Board.
In the 2024/25 financial year, ELIDZ strengthened its commitment to inclusive growth and socio-economic transformation through 20 Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives. These projects directly supported education, youth empowerment, and the growth of local enterprises, ensuring that the benefits of industrial development reach the wider Eastern Cape community.
ELIDZ’s CSI portfolio included donations of educational resources to schools, provision of sports equipment, support for special needs facilities, and targeted interventions to strengthen local business forums. The Zone also provided critical infrastructure support to community facilities, enabling them to deliver improved services to residents.
Through its SMME Development Programme, ELIDZ upgraded 11 emerging businesses by at least two CIDB levels, equipping them with the technical and operational capacity to participate in larger industrial projects. This programme not only supports local entrepreneurship but also strengthens the regional industrial value chain by creating a pool of capable local suppliers.
ELIDZ’s commitment to nurturing future talent is demonstrated through its internship and bursary programmes, which supported over 55 interns and 13 students from the Eastern Cape during the year. These initiatives provide young people with hands-on experience in industrial, technical, and administrative roles, bridging the skills gap and enhancing employability across the province.
“Through our comprehensive community and skills development programmes, ELIDZ is not just building industries; we are building people, businesses, and communities. We are proud to play a transformative role in the Eastern Cape, ensuring that economic growth goes hand-in-hand with social development,” said ELIDZ, CEO Thembela Zweni
By integrating industrial growth with deliberate social investment, ELIDZ continues to set the benchmark for SEZ-led community development in South Africa, demonstrating that sustainable industrialisation must benefit both the economy and the people it serves.
MEC Nonkqubela Pieters, the MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) speaking at the event emphasised that the ELIDZ must not lose sight of its foundational mandate, to drive inclusive industrialisation that benefits all communities.
“This requires intensified efforts in localisation, agriculture-linked value chains, and partnerships with other government departments and sectors to stimulate broad-based growth,” she stated.
Reflecting on the current socio-economic challenges facing the Province, MEC Pieters emphasised that the Eastern Cape continues to grapple with high unemployment and economic recovery.
“It is within this context that the ELIDZ’s work becomes even more critical,” she said.
The Zone must stand at the forefront of rebuilding our economy, translating investment into real opportunities, sustainable livelihoods, and tangible improvements in the lives of our people.
She further highlighted the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), urging the Zone to position itself as a catalyst for regional trade integration, economic resilience, and long-term competitiveness in a rapidly changing global economy.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of ELIDZ, Gift Matengambiri reflecting on organisational financial performance highlighted that the ELIDZ financial performance has been strong, with substantial growth in self-generated revenue and private sector investment. This stability enables us to reinvest in infrastructure, innovation, and community programmes, reinforcing ELIDZ’s long-term sustainability and contribution to regional development.
As ELIDZ execute the Vision 2030 strategy, the Zone will deepen its commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) excellence, embedding sustainability across all operations:
- Environmental Responsibility: Reducing energy and water consumption, minimising waste, and advancing renewable energy and circular economy initiatives to support tenants in adopting greener production practices.
- Social Impact: Expanding skills development, youth employment, and supplier growth programmes, while fostering innovation, technology transfer, and SME integration through the STP.
- Governance Excellence: Upholding ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability aligned with newly launched King V corporate governance principles.
“Our focus for 2025/26 is to ensure that industrial growth is balanced with environmental stewardship and social value,” added Mr Zweni.
ELIDZ is committed to positioning the Zone as a leader in sustainable and inclusive economic development within South Africa’s SEZ landscape.
ELIDZ will continue collaborating closely with stakeholders, government, industry partners, and local communities to strengthen industrial competitiveness, retain high-value investments, and ensure growth translates into lasting socio-economic benefits for the Eastern Cape.
Issued by the ELIDZ
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Siphosethu Tikana
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T: +27 43 702 8200 | C: +27 64 900 8392 | E: siphosethuti@elidz.co.za