City investment departments exist to make it easier to invest, and they are measured on rands facilitated, jobs created and people trained. That means they have a direct interest in helping a business that is expanding, hiring or training, and most small business owners have never contacted the one in their city.
Cities typically work through a group of sector-specific special purpose vehicles alongside the provincial trade and investment agency, each covering a defined industry.
Sector bodies are where the practical help is
The specialised vehicles cover areas such as business process outsourcing, green economy, information technology, craft and design, fashion and clothing and textiles. Each knows its industry, its buyers and its funding sources. A business in a covered sector gets considerably more from the relevant body than from a general enquiry to the city.
They are measured on outcomes you can supply
Where a department reports against targets for investment facilitated, jobs created and people trained, a business that is about to hire or train is helping them meet those targets. Framing your approach in those terms, rather than as a request for assistance, changes the response.
Training facilitation is the underused service
Thousands of people put through skills programmes each year come from somewhere, and often from businesses that asked. An owner needing staff trained should establish what the city and provincial bodies fund before paying for it privately.
Exceeding modest targets is normal, so ask early in the cycle
Departments reporting comfortably above their internal targets are generally well positioned to support additional projects, and budget availability follows the financial year. Approaching early in that year rather than late gives a better chance of being accommodated.
Register with the provincial agency as well
The provincial trade and investment agency, Wesgro in the Western Cape, handles investment facilitation, trade promotion and inbound enquiries. Being registered with both city and province costs nothing and puts a business in front of opportunities that are never publicly advertised.
Frequently asked questions
What does a city investment department do?
It facilitates investment, job creation and skills training, and is measured on those outcomes, which gives it a direct interest in helping expanding businesses.
Where is the practical help?
In the sector-specific bodies covering areas such as technology, green economy, craft and design, and clothing and textiles, each with industry-specific knowledge.
How should a business approach them?
By framing the request around what the department is measured on, hiring, investment or training, rather than as a general request for assistance.
Which service is most underused?
Training facilitation. Many owners pay privately for skills development that city or provincial bodies would have funded.
When in the year should you approach?
Early in the financial year, since budget availability and appetite for additional projects follow that cycle.
Further reading
Originally published in July 2017. Updated September 2026 to explain what city investment agencies offer a business, using the lead story from the original roundup.
