South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a 10-point “economic emergency” plan designed to revive the country’s struggling economy, which has been weighed down by sluggish growth, rising debt, and weakening investor confidence.
Announcing the plan in Pretoria on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said the initiative reflects his administration’s determination to stabilize public finances, stimulate industrial output, and restore investor trust in Africa’s most industrialized economy.
At the core of the plan is the establishment of an “Economic War Room” within the Presidency, tasked with overseeing key indicators such as industrial growth, job creation, and policy coordination across ministries. The unit will serve as a central monitoring body to ensure accountability and rapid decision-making in implementing economic reforms.
Ramaphosa said the plan prioritizes expanding trade partnerships, reviving South Africa’s chrome and manganese sectors, and modernizing freight and logistics infrastructure to improve export efficiency. Other measures include introducing preferential power tariffs for critical industries to cushion the impact of electricity costs and drive competitiveness in manufacturing.
The President acknowledged that the economy faces “a period of extraordinary challenge,” but emphasized that coordinated policy execution could reverse declining productivity and restore growth.
“This plan is not just about recovery—it is about renewal,” Ramaphosa stated. “We must act with urgency to protect jobs, stabilize key sectors, and rebuild the confidence that drives investment and innovation.”
Economic analysts view the plan as a response to mounting fiscal pressure following credit rating warnings and continued strain on state-owned enterprises. The government hopes the new framework will provide direction for structural reforms while fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Details of the 10-point agenda are expected to be presented to Parliament in the coming weeks, outlining timelines for implementation and the institutional roles of various ministries.
If effectively executed, the initiative could mark one of the most ambitious economic overhauls of Ramaphosa’s presidency, aimed at positioning South Africa for sustainable recovery and long-term growth.
