Overview of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

·The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality was established in 2011, making it one of the newest metropolitans in South Africa. It stands as a beacon of opportunity and growth on the southeast coast of South Africa. It is one of only four metropolitans that are on the coast out of a total of 8 metropolitans in the country.



·The metro is considered to be the gateway to the province due to its central location and logistics advantage, boasting air, road, rail, and sea logistics. It is also the home of provincial administration. This advantage has allowed it to be the center of gravity for attracting a vibrant range of primary , secondary, and tertiary investments, businesses, and support services. With a population of just under a million (975 255), which is largely youth, it has a solid skilled workforce in a number of sectors, including financial services, trade, and manufacturing.



· This workforce is supported by several  world-class training and academic institutions. The metro is also home to several investors, including Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Johnson & Johnson.



· In further securing its position as an ideal investment destination, the Metro, through the National government, continues to support the East London Industrial Development Zone garner more investments. This work is part of a broader metro wide programme of stimulating growth and creating jobs as outlined in its bold Metro Growth Strategy vision 2030.



·Key sectors targeted for development include amongst others; agro industry, the auto sector, general manufacturing, renewable energy, the ocean economy, film and creative industry.



·The municipality's commitment to improving the investment climate is market by a number of critical infrastructure projects that have been recently undertaken, such as the Sleeper Site road infrastructure project and the Settlers road upgrade project, which have allowed for improved logistics and easier movement of goods.



·The metro boasts of having a long stretching coastline of 68km with eight exciting beaches, making it ideal for family fun, exploring, and hosting all sorts of events, which have included the world-acclaimed Buffalo City Regatta and the Ironman half challenge. For those who prefer to be inland, the Metro has a number of exciting options, including game tours and hiking trails.



·The cosmopolitan nature of its people and different cultures provide an exciting bouquet of culinary and hospitality experiences, being host to a number of fine establishments such as the Garden Court Hotel and the International Convention Center.



 



QUICK FACTS :















































 Land size



2 536 km2 : approximately  the size of   Luxembourg and Samoa



 



•Population Size



975 255 :  1% national, 12% of provincial population) 



 



•2nd  highest population density in the EC  after NMBM



317.8 People per km2



•Educational Institution Attendance



76.3%



• Working age population



67.4%



•Largest employment is in formal sector



70.3%



•Dependency ratio ( labour force)



47.3 %   EC 66.6%



•Second largest regional  economy  in the Eastern Cape



R 83.8 billion  :1.52% national,  19.8% provincial contribution to GDP



•Households that used electricity



80.7%



•Unemployment



22.4%




 



PROXIMITY TO MAJOR CITIES: 





























CITY



Air  



Road



 



Rail



 



 



 



 



Johannesburg



 1h30



 943km



2 days



Cape Town



 



1h50