About 11 243, people were employed by the Coega SEZ, at the end of June 2025.
This emerged at the 6th annual report, launched at the Coega Vulindlela Accommodation and Conference Centre in Gqeberha, on Tuesday.
This is an increase of 14,2% from 9 842 in 2024.
A report by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) for 2024/25 financial year, found Coega Development Corporation (Coega), is one of South Africa’s most dynamic and rapidly expanding industrial hubs, highlighting sustained growth in employment, expenditure, and profitability.
The total number of tenants in the Coega SEZ in 2025 was 57, representing an increase of 11 enterprises compared to 2024.
There were more ‘non-manufacturing’ enterprises (63,2%) compared to ‘manufacturing’ enterprises (36,8%).
Total income in the Coega SEZ stood at R24,96 billion in 2025, reflecting a marginal decline of 0,3% compared with R25,04 billion in 2024.
According to the report, the total capital expenditure on new assets in the Coega SEZ for 2025, rose to R1 027 million, compared to R937 million in 2024.
The largest categories of capital expenditure were plant, machinery and equipment, signaling sustained investor confidence and long-term commitment to the SEZ.
Magama Makgamatho, Coega Chief Knowledge and Digital Officer, said “the Stats SA report confirms what we see every day at Coega – a thriving, resilient, and forward-looking industrial ecosystem driven by strategic planning, disciplined execution, and strong partnerships across government, business, labour, and our communities. This growth is not only economic, it is creating jobs and enabling long term development. Coega is not just an industrial zone; it is a catalyst for national development.”
Picture: Andile April