Ms Bahumi Matebesi, DDG: Corporate Services, Department of Employment
and Labour
IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026 Launch
19 June 2026 | Virtual
- Opening and Greetings
Programme Director,
Chairperson of Productivity SA Board,
Chief Economist of IMD World Competitiveness Centre,
Acting CEO of Productivity SA,
Distinguished delegates from African partner countries,
Representatives from business, labour, academia and government,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning.
It is a privilege to join you at the launch of the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness
Yearbook results, hosted by Productivity SA in partnership with the Institute for
Management Development.
We meet at a time when global competitiveness is being reshaped by profound shifts,
including geopolitical tensions, digital transformation, changing trade patterns, and
intensifying pressure on labour markets and productivity systems.
In this environment, competitiveness is no longer a technical concept reserved for
economists. It has become a direct determinant of:
- Job creation
- Investment attraction
- Industrial performance
- And ultimately, the wellbeing of our people
For South Africa, this conversation is especially urgent.
The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook provides us with an honest mirror of our
economic performance. South Africa’s recent performance has shown continued
challenges, including a decline in ranking and weaknesses across key pillars such as:
- Labour market efficiency
- Investment attractiveness
- Infrastructure constraints
- Business environment effectiveness
At the same time, we acknowledge areas of relative strength, which demonstrate that
improvement is possible where policy consistency and institutional effectiveness are
present.
We must be clear: these results are not just statistics. They reflect real constraints
affecting employment creation, business expansion, and inclusive growth.
At the centre of this discussion lies a critical truth: Productivity is the missing link in
South Africa’s competitiveness and economic recovery.
Without productivity growth:
- Investment remains constrained
- Job creation slows
- Public service delivery becomes inefficient
- And competitiveness weakens
This is why Productivity SA is not simply an implementing agency. It is a strategic
partner in driving a productivity-led growth agenda.
We must strengthen efforts to improve:
- Labour market efficiency
- Skills alignment, particularly for youth
- Enterprise productivity, especially in SMMEs
- And infrastructure coordination that enables economic activity
Government has already identified key priority areas that align strongly with today’s
discussion:
- Labour market reforms to improve efficiency and inclusivity
- Strengthening enterprise productivity support systems
- Skills development aligned with labour market demand
- Improved infrastructure and investment coordination
These priorities are reflected in the Medium-Term Development Plan (2024–2029) and
are critical for achieving inclusive growth and employment creation.
We cannot achieve these goals without a coordinated focus on productivity
enhancement.
It is also important to recognise that South Africa is not alone in facing competitiveness
challenges. Across the African continent, countries are pursuing different reform pathways to improve productivity, attract investment, and strengthen economic
resilience.
The participation of African countries in today’s dialogue allows us to:
- Share practical reform experiences
- Learn from diverse policy approaches
- And identify what works in similar developmental contexts
This peer learning is essential for building a stronger, more competitive African
continent.
The IMD rankings are not an end in themselves.
They are a diagnostic tool, a signal system that helps us understand:
- Where we are improving
- Where we are falling behind
- And what structural reforms are required
Our responsibility is to move:
From rankings to reform
From diagnosis to action
And from analysis to implementation
As we look toward the post-2030 development horizon, competitiveness must become
a central pillar of national and continental planning.
Let me take this opportunity to reaffirm the role of Productivity SA.
Productivity SA must be:
- A national centre of excellence on productivity intelligence
- A bridge between global benchmarking and domestic reform
- A convenor of social dialogue on productivity and competitiveness
- And a driver of practical interventions that improve enterprise and labour
productivity
This is not only about measurement. It is about transformation.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The message from today is clear:
Without productivity, there can be no competitiveness.
Without competitiveness, there can be no sustainable and inclusive growth.
We must therefore treat the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook not as a report we
receive, but as a tool we use to guide reform, strengthen institutions, and build a more
productive and inclusive economy.
I thank you.