Cape Town Mayor’s U.S. Economic Campaign: A Battle for Investment and Revitalization

Geordin Hill-Lewis, the mayor of Cape Town, is on an economic mission in the United States to attract foreign direct investment to boost the city’s economy and create employment opportunities. He is engaging with influential institutions, promoting Cape Town’s investment appeal and highlighting the city’s infrastructure projects and commitment to energy and water security. Cape Town’s thriving sectors, ease of doing business, and lifestyle options make it an attractive destination for investors. Mayor Hill-Lewis’s efforts reflect the city’s dynamism and resilience, creating a model for other African cities to follow.

What is Geordin Hill-Lewis’ mission in the United States?

Geordin Hill-Lewis, Cape Town’s mayor, is on an economic expedition in the United States to amplify foreign direct investment from the U.S. into Cape Town. His goal is to produce employment opportunities for the residents of Cape Town, thereby boosting the city’s economy. He is advocating and engaging with influential institutions to promote Cape Town’s appealing investment case, highlighting the city’s forthcoming infrastructure projects and its essential part in national economic growth.

Geordin Hill-Lewis, Cape Town’s mayor, is currently on an economic expedition in the United States. The primary objective of his mission is to amplify foreign direct investment (FDI) from the U.S. into Cape Town. As the most substantial contributor of FDI to Cape Town’s thriving economy, the U.S. plays a significant role in the city’s economic progress.

Cape Town’s commercial environment has already experienced the impact of significant international corporations, including Microsoft, Roche, Johnson & Johnson, DHL, Unilever, and Amazon. These corporations have opened new job opportunities and ignited a sense of hope for Cape Town’s growth. As more foreign businesses acknowledge the opportunities in Cape Town, Major Hill-Lewis is proactively inviting U.S. businesses to invest in the city. His goal is to produce employment opportunities for the residents of Cape Town, thereby boosting the city’s economy.

Major Hill-Lewis Advocacy and Engagements Across U.S.

During his talk at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Major Hill-Lewis laid out the city’s accomplishments and opportunities. He predicted a bright future for Cape Town, powered by an unprecedented infrastructure investment pipeline, superior job growth in comparison to other South African cities, comprehensive plans for water and energy security, and peak tourism, among other prospering sectors.

He made a significant impact during his visit to Washington DC, engaging with influential institutions such as the Woodrow Wilson Centre and the Corporate Council on Africa. These engagements allowed him to address the challenge of swift urbanization in Africa and to advocate for U.S. corporate investments in Africa.

His journey continues to New York, where he will meet with the Business Chamber of International Understanding (BCIU) and Mayor Eric Adams. In these meetings, Hill-Lewis will persist in promoting Cape Town’s appealing investment case. He will underline the city’s forthcoming infrastructure projects and its essential part in the national economic growth.

Cape Town’s Prosperous Sectors and Commitment to Ease of Doing Business

Various sectors have thrived in Cape Town, such as Business Process Outsourcing, Information and Communication Technology, Film, Agri-Business, and Tourism. Specifically, tourism has witnessed record-setting numbers with 317,000 international visitors in December and an astonishing 2.9 million visitors throughout 2023. This surge has created new jobs within the city’s economy.

The city’s professional civil service, upheld by accountability, transparency, and measurable performance targets, has elevated investor trust. With the introduction of initiatives like the Ease of Doing Business Index, Cape Town is committed to cutting through bureaucratic red tape and smoothing the investment process.

Furthermore, Major Hill-Lewis underscored the city’s contributions to energy security. As Cape Town plans to terminate load-shedding and dependence on Eskom, it is positioning itself as a pioneer in this critical sector.

Cape Town: An Attractive Destination for Investors

The city’s unique blend of natural beauty and lifestyle options further strengthen its attractiveness to potential investors. With scenic mountains, coastline, beaches, and winelands, together with world-class dining experiences, Cape Town offers an unmatched standard of living.

In a push for economic reforms, Cape Town has been striving for operational control of the passenger rail service, the formal delegation of more policing powers, and private sector engagement in the Port of Cape Town.

Before returning to Cape Town, Mayor Hill-Lewis is scheduled to visit London for discussions with Mayor Sadiq Khan and the South African Chamber of Commerce UK. The trip will conclude with a presentation at the London School of Economics, titled “City of hope – lessons from Cape Town for the future of South Africa and African cities”.

Through such proactive engagements, Mayor Hill-Lewis is not merely advocating for Cape Town’s growth but is also developing a model for other African cities to emulate. His endeavors reflect the dynamism and resilience of Cape Town, a city poised to welcome fresh opportunities and possibilities.

What are the thriving sectors in Cape Town?

Various sectors have thrived in Cape Town, such as Business Process Outsourcing, Information and Communication Technology, Film, Agri-Business, and Tourism. Specifically, tourism has witnessed record-setting numbers with 317,000 international visitors in December and an astonishing 2.9 million visitors throughout 2023. This surge has created new jobs within the city’s economy.

What is Cape Town doing to attract investors?

Cape Town is committed to cutting through bureaucratic red tape and smoothing the investment process. With the introduction of initiatives like the Ease of Doing Business Index, the city is committed to the operational control of the passenger rail service, the formal delegation of more policing powers, and private sector engagement in the Port of Cape Town. Furthermore, Major Hill-Lewis is promoting Cape Town’s appealing investment case by highlighting the city’s forthcoming infrastructure projects and its essential part in the national economic growth, engaging with influential institutions to attract foreign direct investment.

What is Major Hill-Lewis’ goal in his U.S. economic mission?

Geordin Hill-Lewis, Cape Town’s mayor, is on an economic expedition in the United States to amplify foreign direct investment from the U.S. into Cape Town. His goal is to produce employment opportunities for the residents of Cape Town, thereby boosting the city’s economy. He is advocating and engaging with influential institutions, promoting Cape Town’s investment appeal and highlighting the city’s infrastructure projects and commitment to energy and water security.

What institutions has Major Hill-Lewis engaged with during his U.S. mission?

Major Hill-Lewis has engaged with influential institutions such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Woodrow Wilson Centre, the Corporate Council on Africa, and the Business Chamber of International Understanding. These engagements allowed him to address the challenge of swift urbanization in Africa and to advocate for U.S. corporate investments in Africa.

What makes Cape Town an attractive destination for investors?

Cape Town’s unique blend of natural beauty and lifestyle options further strengthens its attractiveness to potential investors. With scenic mountains, coastline, beaches, and winelands, together with world-class dining experiences, Cape Town offers an unmatched standard of living. Additionally, the city’s professional civil service, upheld by accountability, transparency, and measurable performance targets, has elevated investor trust.

What is Major Hill-Lewis’ goal in his London visit?

Before returning to Cape Town, Mayor Hill-Lewis is scheduled to visit London for discussions with Mayor Sadiq Khan and the South African Chamber of Commerce UK. The trip will conclude with a presentation at the London School of Economics, titled “City of hope – lessons from Cape Town for the future of South Africa and African cities”.