Richards Bay Unveils Bold Tourism Investment Pipeline at TIFA 2025

The City of uMhlathuze has staged a landmark moment for African tourism and investment by hosting the Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA 2025) for the first time at the Thembele Conference Centre in Richards Bay. This gathering, which officially opened on 28 August, has drawn a dynamic mix of global investors, policymakers, and tourism visionaries, all intent on shaping the continent’s next chapter of economic and tourism development. The forum’s arrival in Richards Bay underscores the region’s rising prominence as a magnet for international capital and a testbed for innovative, inclusive destination growth.

Setting the tone for the event, delegates spent the previous day on a series of guided tours, exploring investment projects that are integral to uMhlathuze’s economic transformation ambitions. These site visits provided investors with a rare, direct view of the region’s pipeline—projects that are not only reshaping the cityscape but also reinforcing Richards Bay’s role as a gateway for tourism, commerce, and sustainable growth in Southern Africa.

Among the standout initiatives, the Ridge Development is emerging as a flagship mixed-use precinct. By blending residential, hotel, and commercial facilities, this project is designed to nurture inclusive urban growth and set new standards for liveable city environments. The Steel Bridge, a R130 million fully-funded landmark, will soon serve as the signature entrance to the Richards Bay Waterfront, linking visitors to the city’s burgeoning leisure and hospitality sector.

Another transformative vision is the Richards Bay ICC Precinct, a 45-hectare area earmarked for a world-class conference facility, alongside a casino, hotels, retail, and water-sport amenities. This complex is expected to become a catalyst for both business events and leisure tourism, opening up new avenues for event organisers, hoteliers, and entertainment providers. Adding to this momentum is the Waterfront Precinct Development, a 153.7-hectare greenfield project with 82 serviced properties, valued at R332 million, which promises to redefine the city’s hospitality and real estate landscape.

Industrial growth is being prioritised through the Central Industrial Area (CIA) and the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ). These initiatives are geared toward supporting manufacturing, logistics, ICT, renewable energy, marine industry, agro-processing, and advanced manufacturing—sectors that are increasingly intertwined with regional travel and hospitality supply chains. The RBIDZ alone represents a ZAR1.25 billion commitment to future-oriented industries, sending a powerful signal to investors seeking modern, diversified African economies.

Critical infrastructure is also under the spotlight, with plans for the Richards Bay Airport Relocation and Redevelopment progressing as a ZAR1.25 billion public-private partnership. The new regional airport city, which has entered its procurement phase, will provide the modern connectivity needed to support wider tourism ambitions and unlock seamless access for international and domestic travellers alike.

During the official opening, Mayor Cllr Xolani Ngwezi and Premier Thami Ntuli of KwaZulu-Natal delivered messages that resonated with the forum’s central mission: building prosperity that reaches every corner of society. Premier Ntuli highlighted the dual priorities of inclusive growth and youth empowerment, urging stakeholders to see tourism investment as a vehicle for both economic transformation and social progress. “Prosperity should not be a privilege for a few, but a promise for all,” he declared, reinforcing the conviction that tourism can be a lever for broad-based opportunity across South Africa and the wider continent.

Premier Ntuli also addressed the importance of safety and stability in fostering investor confidence. He commended the leadership of local law enforcement and the collaborative spirit of communities, both of which have been instrumental in cultivating an environment viewed as secure and reliable by potential investors. This emphasis on safety will be crucial as Richards Bay positions itself as a gateway for high-impact investment and international arrivals.

TIFA 2025’s strategic direction was further validated by a virtual address from Ms. Elcia Grandcourt, Regional Director for Africa at UN Tourism. She spotlighted the forum’s role in aligning investment with broader economic transformation, particularly through support for entrepreneurs, startups, and youth-led enterprises. Ms. Grandcourt cited customized investment guidelines and the release of Doing Business Guidebooks—including the upcoming South African edition at the G20—as examples of how international policy and technical assistance are being harnessed to make African tourism more competitive and attractive to global capital.

The momentum continued with a series of high-level panel discussions and interactive sessions. The opening roundtable, “Enabling Trade & Investment,” brought together leaders from across Africa and beyond—including representatives from Uganda, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Ireland—to share insights and strategies for stimulating tourism investment. Additional sessions in the Investment Hall covered topics such as tourism demand, heritage economy, infrastructure, real estate, and capital flows, while the SME Connect Zone provided a hands-on platform for small business owners to explore digital transformation, sustainable growth, and innovative pathways to scale.

This multi-faceted approach allowed stakeholders to move beyond theoretical debate and into the realm of actionable solutions. Direct engagement and open dialogue helped to surface new ideas, foster collaboration, and accelerate the region’s transition from potential to performance. For African travel industry professionals, these exchanges offer a blueprint for responding to market shifts, adapting to new consumer trends, and building partnerships that extend well beyond boardroom conversations.

Richards Bay’s emergence as a focal point for investment is underpinned by its strategic advantages—home to South Africa’s largest deep-sea port, a thriving industrial base, and proximity to world-renowned Zulu heritage sites, game reserves, and the iSimangaliso Wetlands. The city’s ability to attract sustained investor interest, even through global disruptions such as the Covid-19 pandemic, is a testament to its resilience and long-term vision. As TIFA 2025 unfolds, the energy is shifting from preliminary agreements to concrete partnerships and innovative projects that promise to reshape both the regional and continental tourism landscape.

What began as site inspections and ceremonial openings is quickly evolving into a platform for real-world impact. With new infrastructure taking shape, inclusive growth strategies gaining traction, and a renewed focus on safety and investor confidence, Richards Bay is offering a glimpse of the future for African tourism investment. The conversations and collaborations emerging from TIFA 2025 are set to reverberate across the continent, inspiring travel industry stakeholders to reimagine what is possible and position Africa as a leading destination for both travel and capital in the years ahead.