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Localisation Drives Innovation and Job Creation, Says Trade Minister

Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel spoke at the Proudly South African Buy Local Summit and Expo in Sandton, emphasizing the importance of localization in driving innovation and creating jobs in South Africa.

Localisation Encouraged by Government

Patel highlighted the role of the government in encouraging localization and supporting the private sector to embrace it, calling on businesses to get involved and take advantage of the enormous opportunity to do things differently.

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Job Creation Through Localisation

Localization provides an opportunity for job creation. Patel urged the private sector to publicly advocate for the work of South African businesses, small businesses, and workers to help grow the economy.

Celebrating South African Capabilities

The summit and expo, held under the theme ‘Growing the Economy and Creating Jobs through Localisation,’ celebrates localization and the country’s capabilities, providing networking opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and large corporates in South Africa.

Provincial Government Works to Improve Business Environment

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lusufi welcomed attendees and addressed the issue of crime, stating that the provincial government is working hard to create a conducive environment for business, including the decision to do away with e-tolls in Gauteng to make business easier.

Future of E-commerce and Networking Opportunities

The second day of the summit and expo will discuss the growing e-commerce space and consumer preferences for minimal human interaction. Various companies and small and medium businesses showcase their services and products at the exhibition center on the ground floor.

Localization is critical for driving innovation and job creation in South Africa. The Proudly South African Buy Local Summit and Expo provide a platform for the private sector to get involved, celebrate localization, showcase products and services, and network with other businesses.

Lerato Mokena

Lerato Mokena is a Cape Town-based journalist who covers the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene with a focus on emerging voices from Khayelitsha to the Bo-Kaap. Born and raised at the foot of Table Mountain, she brings an insider’s eye to how creativity shapes—and is shaped by—South Africa’s complex social landscape. When she’s not chasing stories, Lerato can be found surfing Muizenberg’s gentle waves or debating politics over rooibos in her grandmother’s Gugulethu kitchen.

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