Cape Town: A Flourishing Investment Hub in Africa

Beyond its reputation as a vibrant and welcoming city, Cape Town is emerging as a cost-effective destination for investment and business expansion.

Investing opportunities in Cape Town and ease of doing business have made the mother city a long-recognised, leading African business hub. This is an accolade earned from ongoing efforts being made by the city and its private sector partners to ensure that the metro is on the international map for business and investment.

Key Insights: Cape Town’s Global FDI Impact 

From January 2003 to July 2023, Cape Town welcomed a substantial influx of global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects, totalling 744. These ventures amounted to an impressive capital injection of R114.76 billion, translating to an average investment of R303.7 million per project. Moreover, this surge in investment facilitated the creation of approximately 23,652 employment opportunities during this period.

Cape Town’s Global Competitiveness

Cape Town stands as a beacon of beauty, culture, and sustainability. In 2022, the city continued to capture hearts and accolades, earning global recognition for its myriad charms and achievements.

Accolades:

• Africa’s Leading City Destination: For the second consecutive year, Cape Town emerged victorious as Africa’s Leading City Destination at the esteemed World Travel Awards, highlighting its enduring appeal and hospitality.
• Most Sustainable City in Africa: Recognised for its commitment to environmental stewardship, Cape Town claimed the title of the Most Sustainable City in Africa by the Corporate Knights Sustainable Cities Index, showcasing its dedication to a greener future.
• Ninth Best City in the World: Securing its place among the world’s elite, Cape Town earned the ninth spot in Condé Nast Traveller’s revered ranking of the Best Cities in the World, solidifying its reputation as a premier travel destination.
• Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction: Table Mountain, a beloved symbol of Cape Town’s natural splendour, retained its crown as Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction for the fourth consecutive year, enchanting visitors with its breath-taking vistas and rich biodiversity.
• Most Promising Muslim-friendly City Destination: Embracing inclusivity and diversity, Cape Town received the accolade of Most Promising Muslim-friendly City Destination at the Halal Travel Awards, welcoming travellers from all backgrounds with open arms.
• Third Best Global City: The Telegraph bestowed upon Cape Town the honour of being the third Best Global City, highlighting its dynamic spirit and enduring allure on the world stage.

The Cost of Living in Cape Town

Cape Town’s stunning natural beauty, from the iconic Table Mountain to Camps Bay’s beaches and the colourful houses of Bo-Kaap, attracts a blooming international community of freelancers, entrepreneurs, and foreign workers. It’s easy to immerse yourself in Cape Town’s culture.

While the cost of living is higher than other South African cities, considering it boasts features like a national park within its borders, it remains significantly lower than most of Europe, Asia, and North America.

In the 2021 Mercer Cost of Living City ranking, Cape Town secured the 178th position, affirming affordability for expatriates. Compared to global hubs like Washington (51), London (18), and Sydney (31), the Mother City offers a more cost-effective lifestyle. This trend extends to European destinations such as Munich, Germany (54), Amsterdam, Netherlands (44), and Brussels, Belgium (53), where living costs exceed those of Cape Town. Furthermore, when assessing African cities, Cape Town emerged as a budget-friendly alternative, with lower costs of living than Kigali, Rwanda (175), Kampala, Uganda (171), and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania (167).

Contact us today for detailed information on Cape Town’s cost-effectiveness. If you can’t find what you are looking for, we can help point you in the right direction.