ECDC - Eastern Cape Development Corporation

09/10/2026

The ECDC is participating in the Hotel and Home Design Fair, taking place from 8 to 10 October 2026 at Polokwane International Airport.

The fair seeks to bridge the gap between Africa’s talented makers and formal procurement networks by showcasing local materials, craftsmanship, furniture, textiles and cultural influences that reflect the identity of the places in which people live, work and visit. With a strong business-to-business focus, the platform creates opportunities across the hospitality, tourism and design sectors.

Through its creative industries mandate, the ECDC continues to support market access for small businesses, connecting local creatives and producers to new markets and business opportunities.

09/10/2026

The ECDC participated in the Purplegrowth Training Academy’s Youth Economic Empowerment Conference and Graduation Ceremony in Mdantsane, encouraging young people to turn their skills into business opportunities that can contribute to economic growth.

The ECDC's Enterprise Finance and Business Support Unit was represented by Ms Qhama Tyumbu and Ms Thando Solomon, who highlighted the organisation’s services and support available to aspiring and established entrepreneurs.

ECDC's Ms Zoliswa Mqokoyi later congratulated the graduates, acknowledged the support of their families and encouraged young people to make use of the ECDC’s business support services. She also participated in a panel discussion, sharing insights on entrepreneurship and opportunities for youth.

The event culminated in the graduation of students who completed short courses in Office Administration, Digital and Social Media Marketing, Graphic Design and Cybersecurity.

Now in its third year, the ceremony highlighted the importance of skills development, entrepreneurship and collaboration in empowering Mdantsane’s youth and advancing economic development in the province.

This initiative reinforces the ECDC’s commitment to youth empowerment by promoting skills development, entrepreneurship and access to opportunities that enable young people to participate meaningfully in the Eastern Cape’s economy.

08/10/2026

Building on the discussions around unlocking the Sunshine Coast’s tourism potential, stakeholders explored how collaboration, a shared vision and practical interventions can strengthen the region’s tourism offering.

Mr Septi Bukula, founder of Rendzo Network, highlighted the tourism cluster approach, bringing stakeholders together around a shared vision for destination development. The initiative connects three distinctive routes, Isivuno Agritourism, Ulwandle Eco-Marine and Imveli Heritage, creating diverse visitor experiences and opportunities for local businesses and communities.

Key priorities included strengthening digital marketing, training tour guides and addressing accommodation gaps, while stakeholders shared practical ideas to maximise tourism growth.

Mr Lebo May, Tourism and Coastal Practitioner at Ngqushwa Local Municipality, reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to the initiative, while Mr Wouter Hensens, Chairperson of Sunshine Coast Tourism, emphasised the importance of collaboration among local tourism structures and communities.

The key take away from the workshop was that the Sunshine Coast is still becoming, creating an opportunity to shape a distinctive tourism destination that connects its natural beauty, heritage and communities with sustainable economic opportunities.

For the ECDC, the initiative presents an opportunity to unlock tourism-led investment, enterprise development, and job creation across the Sunshine Coast.

08/10/2026

The ECDC has partnered with Rendzo Network and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) to host the Sunshine Coast Tourism Development Workshop, currently taking place at The Royal St Andrews Hotel in Port Alfred.

The workshop focused on presenting the cluster approach to destination development, introducing the Sunshine Coast – Three Routes, One Extraordinary Coast initiative and exploring the opportunities it presents for the region. It is also aimed at creating a platform for stakeholders to collaboratively identify actions needed to drive tourism growth along the Sunshine Coast and map out concrete steps towards implementation.

Representing the ECDC, Economic Development Specialist, Mr Vusumzi Makinana, the Corporation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that unlock the tourism and investment potential of the Sunshine Coast. “ECDC is here to enhance, advance and grow this initiative. We believe that an investment of this nature can go a long way towards promoting the tourism sector along the Sunshine Coast. For this to be effective, tourism needs investment just as much as other sectors.”

Regional Tourism Development Manager, Ms Nomfundo Zondwa, from the ECPTA, highlighted the importance of partnerships in building a vibrant, sustainable and impactful tourism sector in the province, with particular emphasis on Isivuno Agritourism, which forms part of the Sunshine Coast corridor and aims to connect tourism with agriculture, local communities and cultural heritage. “Tourism is an actual link for all services,” Ms Zondwa noted, highlighting the opportunities for collaboration across sectors.

The initiative also aims to strengthen the Sunshine Coast’s destination brand and create memorable visitor experiences, while turning the region’s tourism potential into sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.

08/10/2026

IPD Gender Equity and International Trade Study Tour

The IPD Gender Equity and International Trade Study Tour in Madrid, Spain, brought together stakeholders working to advance women’s economic participation and empowerment in international trade, with a focus on strengthening women’s access to international markets, networks, knowledge and business opportunities.

The ECDC was represented by Ms Linda Lubengu, Trade Promotion Specialist, as a South African representative on the study tour.

The programme aligns closely with the ECDC’s mandate of supporting women-owned enterprises through capacity building, networking, mentoring, market access and business matchmaking opportunities.

As part of the study tour, Lubengu engaged with international organisations and business support institutions to explore approaches that can strengthen women’s participation in global trade and create opportunities for Eastern Cape and South African women entrepreneurs to connect with European importers, buyers and business partners.

The participation further strengthens the ECDC’s international engagement and contributes to building pathways for women-owned enterprises to access global markets and participate meaningfully in international trade.

07/10/2026

Kariega taxi operators are expanding their participation in the automotive value chain with the launch of a new workshop and auto spares facility owned by the UDTA Auto Spare Primary Co-operative Limited.

Supported through R300,000 from ECDC’s Imvaba Co-operative Fund, the facility is set to create 10 permanent jobs, retain more maintenance spend within the industry and provide opportunities for skills development and local enterprise growth.

The initiative demonstrates how organised industry, development finance and entrepreneurship can translate existing market demand into sustainable economic opportunities.

Read the full media release here:

ECDC-supported cooperative sets out to keep taxi maintenance spend within the industry and creates 10 permanent jobsKariega, Eastern Cape, 7 October 2026: Every taxi standing in a workshop is income its owner is not earning. A group of Kariega taxi operators has decided that the money spent keeping....

02/10/2026

The ECDC was one of key organisations participating at the Buffalo City College Career Expo earlier today, engaging with students about career opportunities, pathways and the skills needed to succeed in the world of work.

The engagement provided students with an opportunity to better understand the workplace and consider how their education, skills and career aspirations can translate into meaningful opportunities.

Ms. Nosiphiwo Mapuza, ECDC’s Talent Practitioner, engaged with students on career opportunities within the development finance and economic development environment, sharing insights into the diverse career paths available in the sector.

Through initiatives such as the Career Expo, the ECDC continues to support efforts that connect young people with information, industry exposure and opportunities that can help them make informed career choices and prepare for the workplace.

02/10/2026

EASTERN CAPE SHOWCASED TO THE WORLD AT SKÅL INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

The SKÅL International World Congress 2026 has concluded in Nelson Mandela Bay, wrapping up a significant week for the Eastern Cape on the global tourism stage.

ECDC was proud to support this landmark international gathering, hosted in the Eastern Cape for the first time, with the support of its parent department, the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), in partnership with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The Congress brought tourism leaders from across the world to the province for a programme of industry engagements, business networking, exhibitions and destination experiences.

At the final celebration at the Boardwalk Convention Centre last night, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane welcomed the international SKÅL community and highlighted the province’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and diverse tourism experiences, alongside the opportunities that exist for tourism investment and growth.

Hosting the Congress in Nelson Mandela Bay provided an important gateway to showcase the wider Eastern Cape to an influential international tourism network. For ECDC, supporting platforms of this nature is about using global exposure to create opportunities for the province’s destinations, tourism businesses and investment offerings.

The conclusion of the Congress now presents an opportunity to build on the connections established during the week and translate them into stronger international partnerships, increased tourism activity and investment across the Eastern Cape.

ECDC congratulates Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and SKÅL International on successfully hosting the Congress and acknowledges the support of DEDEAT in enabling ECDC’s participation in this important international platform.

The world came to the Eastern Cape. Now we build on the opportunity.

01/10/2026

01/10/2026

OFFICIALLY OPEN: UDTA WORKSHOP AND SPARES FACILITY

The ribbon has been cut, officially marking the opening of the UDTA Workshop and Spares Facility in Kariega.

Following the formal programme, government, industry and development partners toured the new facility, getting a first-hand look at the infrastructure that will support vehicle maintenance and access to motor spares for the taxi industry.

Supported by ECDC through the Imvaba Fund, the facility represents an important step towards strengthening the taxi industry’s participation in the automotive value chain, reducing vehicle downtime and creating opportunities for enterprise and skills development.

More than a workshop, the facility provides a platform from which the cooperative can grow, diversify and build greater economic participation for its members and surrounding communities.

The doors are open. Now the work begins.