As the country concludes its 10th annual Africa Month, the Coega Development Corporation (Coega) reaffirms its commitment to driving economic growth and prosperity in key African markets through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. By leveraging its Coega Africa Programme (CAP), Coega aims to build a stronger, more connected continent, aligning with the national theme, “Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom: Building a Better Africa and a Better World.”
In line with its Strategic Plan 2020-2025, which goes hand in glove with the advancement of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, Coega has identified the African continent as an avenue to further realise its vision to be the leading catalyst for the championing of socio-economic development.
“Coega has introduced competitive solutions to replicate its exceptional project delivery and infrastructure expertise in the rest of the continent, with a focus on developing and operating Special Economic Zones and supporting government departments with the roll- out of mega projects,” says Mr. Idriss Mouchili, CAP Director.
Through its flagship CAP, Coega offers technical advisory and co-development partnership in the development of SEZs, industrial parks, dry ports, logistics bases, and public infrastructure in selected markets on the African continent. These projects are critical enablers for African infrastructure development and trade facilitation, supporting the advancement of the AfCFTA agreement.
“We have an arsenal of systems and processes, utilising international best practice in project management and advanced project methodology to create jobs and transform economies. One of Coega’s most advantageous attributes is the capacity to innovate and replicate the success of the South African environment for the greater benefit of Africa,” continues Mouchili.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), encourages cross-border exchanges with the rest of Africa as a key pillar to reconfigure and expand existing SEZs. In alignment with this, Coega has for the past five years focused on establishing operations in various countries, centring on infrastructure development in support of legislative objectives to eliminate barriers to African trade.
“We have leveraged the SEZ Programme as a policy instrument to support the operationalisation of the AfCFTA with specific focus on creating export markets for South African manufactured capital goods and services. This undertaking has since evolved into a mechanism to diversify the revenue generation capacity of the organisation and create jobs and training opportunities in line with Coega’s vision,” shares Mouchili.
With a proven track record in infrastructure implementation and programme management, management of real assets including industrial facilities, and enabling private sector investment over more than two decades, Coega, using ISO certified processes, has delivered mega infrastructure projects effectively within budget, scope, and quality standards, as a Trusted Infrastructure Implementing Agent of Choice in South Africa.
“Coega is committed to continuing its efforts in deepening socio-economic development in Africa through strategic partnerships and innovation and remains dedicated to playing a significant role in the advancement of the AfCFTA agreement and the development of the African continent,” concludes Mouchili.
