Menu

Browse our sections

Explore other content

You may also want to...

Economic landscape

Economic landscape

Cape Town has all the qualities that appeal to people who look for a great city in which to live, work, study, invest, and do business. It has a world-class central business district; a safe, bustling centre of commerce and retail activity; good infrastructure across all sectors; and a residential hub that is becoming more and more popular.

Invest in Cape Town

Are you interested in investing in our city? Our Economic Development and Investment Department can help you make choices that suit your needs.

Invest in Cape Town Reports

Read our Invest in Cape Town report to find out more about Cape Town - The City of Choice for Investors.

Market Intelligence Report 2025-2026

Talk to us about investment

For information on investing in Cape Town, contact Wesgro  (the official Investment and Trade Promotion Agency for the Western Cape) on 021 487 8600 or email info@wesgro.co.za.

"Our organisation has expanded alongside the City’s reputation as a trusted global delivery hub. Here business infrastructure, skilled talent and a forward-thinking government ecosystem come together to create real opportunities. The country boasts solid systems: a robust legal framework, stable financial institutions and a supportive policy environment. When combined with a young, tech-savvy population and an unmatched natural setting, South Africa presents an irresistible value proposition for investors."

Jason Lock
Invest Cape Town Ambassador and Managing Director, South Africa, and Vice President, Africa, at Concentrix 

What does the city's economic landscape look like?

"Cape Town compares very favourably with other global cities from London to New York, especially when you look at opportunity and quality of life. The ease of doing business, settling in and making a life here has been remarkable. From enrolling my son in school to buying a home, the systems are efficient, secure and transparent. When one service provider expands, the entire ecosystem grows. That’s the kind of multiplier effect Cape Town is primed for."

Siddharth Goel
Invest Cape Town Ambassador and Managing Director & SVP - Foundever

It’s a place where the world can access Africa and Africa can access the world, where economic energies can meet and establish something new.

"Cape Town is not just a gateway to Africa. It’ a place where innovation meets purpose. We have an incredible ecosystem of thinkers, creators and problem-solvers who are building sustainable businesses that reflect the city’s diversity."

Luvuyo Rani
Invest Cape Town Ambassador and Executive Director of Africa Forward

We, as the local government, pride ourselves on our accountability and go to great lengths to enable business and support creativity and growth.

Cape Town is South Africa's best-run city:

  • Only metropolitan municipality to consistently receive clean audits from the Auditor-General of South Africa
  • Broke the record for capital expenditure for a South African municipality in 2025, spending R9,5 million
  • Over 200 000 households receive indigent benefits from the City – including an allocation of free water, free electricity, and property rates rebates.
  • The City has consistently maintained a “Fair” to “Good” public trust level rating over the past five years, reflecting stability in public sentiment.

Why do business in Cape Town?

  • English is the language of business.
  • Cape Town is a global brand.
  • We are in almost the same time zone as Western Europe.
  • Our Economic Development and Investment Department is geared towards creating the right environment for investment in the City.
  • The 221km2 Table Mountain National Park within and surrounding the city: one of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city.
  • We are the culinary capital of South Africa with globally top ranked restaurants.

"[Cape Town’s] strength lies in the diversity of what we offer as a progressive African city that blends innovation, cultural diversity, and forward-looking urban development. It’s not just about retail or tourism, it’s about creating a platform where ideas, investment and opportunity meet. We have a diverse economy, a skilled population and a business environment that increasingly rewards innovation. It’s a city that proves you can grow commercially while delivering positive social impact."

David Green
Invest Cape Town Ambassador and Former CEO of the V&A Waterfront

In Cape Town:

  • Our economic growth is driven by tourism, finance, real estate, business services, food and beverages, logistics and creative industries.
  • There are several world-class agencies that specialise in brand communication, as well as many media houses.
 

Fast fact

Cape Town has officially reclaimed its position as South Africa’s leading startup ecosystem, according to the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 released by StartupBlink. The city recorded an impressive 39% year-on-year ecosystem growth rate, climbing 24 places globally to rank 114th in the world. The achievement also positions Cape Town as the third-highest ranked startup ecosystem in Africa and one of the continent’s fastest-growing innovation hubs.

We have numerous call centres for new international companies and we are South Africa’s leading city for business process outsourcing.

 

Fast fact

Cape Town is the preferred location for the expansion of domestic and international operations in recent years. For example, emerging tech companies have chosen Cape Town, including Admyt, Aerobotics, Cognician, Get Smater, Lumkani, Snapplify, Stitch, Sweepsouth and Yoco.

  • We host offices of many leading global brands including Microsoft, DHL, Unilever, Johnson and Johnson and Burger King. Amazon, Hisense and GlaxoSmithKline have all established their African headquarters in Cape Town.
  • Cape Town's universities and research institutions drive innovation across emerging sectors, from renewable energy and biotech to space technology and digital infrastructure. Ranked 78th globally in medical research, the city has become Africa's leading hub for tech innovation, hosting major data centre investments and nurturing start-ups that are reshaping the continent's technological landscape.
  • Cape Town has produced many famous entrepreneurs, such as information technology whizz-kid, Mark Shuttleworth, who is also the first African in space, and is home to one of the country’s most well-known entrepreneurs, consumer retail magnate Christo Wiese.

"I always say Africa’s problem isn’t talent, it’s marketing. The world needs to see what’s happening here. Cape Town isn’t just a beautiful city; it’s a hub of possibility. It’s a melting pot of different cultures and ideas, a place where innovation thrives precisely because of our diversity. We’ve got the talent, potential, heart and hope. When we start believing in that, we can transform not just Cape Town but the world."

Jamie Wyngaard
Invest Cape Town Ambassador and Co-founder and CXO of Loop

Cape Town in partnership with the world

Our global partnerships reflect our policies and approaches to growth:

View our partnership agreements 

See all partnership agreements in our document downloads section below.

Awards and accolades

Cape Town truly is a city like no other. With our iconic Table Mountain, eight blue flag beaches, top restaurants, world-class venues, entertainment options, and business opportunities – Cape Town is the city that has it all.

We are not the only ones who think so:

"It’s a city where people talk to each other, greet each other and truly engage. That sense of community is rare. It’s not just about the views, it’s also about the people. They’re passionate and they take ownership, an energy that translates into opportunity, We’re proud to showcase a world-class theatre complex from top-tier productions to leading technicians. Attending Artscape doesn’t just offer a show, but an authentic Cape Town experience. We’ve become a hub for fashion, heritage, and inter-faith dialogue. My mission is to keep showcasing Cape Town as a city where everyone belongs. This isn’t just a destination on a brochure; it’s a lived experience."

Marlene le Roux
Invest Cape Town Ambassador and CEO of Artscape Theatre

Cape Town awards

  • Best city in the world 2025 – Time Out 
  • Best city in the world for the seventh time in 2025 – Telegraph Travel Awards
  • Africa’s leading city destination 2025 – World Travel Award
  • 2nd best value destinations in the world 2025 –UKHoliday Money Report
  • 4th best city in the world for hikers 2025 – Urban Exploring
  • 4th best large city in the world 2024 – Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards
  • Best city for food in the world 2024 – Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards
  • World’s best cities for coffee 2024 – Food & Wine
  • Most desirable city in the world 2023 – Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards

Cape Town International Airport awards

  • Cruise Cape Town awards World’s best airport 2025 – AirHelp Score 
  • Best airport in Africa 2025 – Skytrax 

Cruise Cape Town awards

  • Africa’s leading cruise port 2025 – World Travel Award 
  • Africa’s best cruise terminal 2024 – Cruise Awards 

Hotels in Cape Town awards

  • Hotel Verde: Africa’s leading green hotel 2025 – World Travel Awards 
  • Cape Grace: Africa’s leading luxury hotel 2024 – World Travel Awards 
  • The One&Only Cape Town: Africa’s leading luxury resort 2024 – World Travel Awards 

Restaurant awards

  • La Colombe: 55th best restaurant in the world – The World’s Best Restaurants 
  • Fyn: 82nd best restaurant in the world – The World’s Best Restaurants 
  • Salsify at the Roundhouse: 88th best restaurant in the world – The World’s Best Restaurants

Document downloads

Would you like to print this page?

You have disabled JavaScript on your browser.
Please enable it in order to use City online applications.