Industrial Development and Industrial Policy in South Africa

The main patterns of industrial development over the past decade are reviewed together with the broad thrusts of industrial policy. Despite major restructuring of industry under trade liberalisation, there are strong elements of continuity, including the ongoing influence of South Africa’s minerals endowment and the significance of large firms. The development of production capabilities and firm competitiveness in diverse sectors are then briefly assessed. Industrial policy is broadly characterised as functional and non-targeted, but large capital-intensive firms have benefited most from government incentives and development finance. Altering the industrial development trajectory will require more concerted government action to address the entrenched dominance of large resource-based firms.