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The 2026 Gauteng budget saw an increase of R3 billion in the 2026/27 financial year, representing a 2% year-on-year growth.
Gauteng Economic and Finance MEC Lebogang Maile says the budget is designed to focus on addressing frontline services and responding to the provincial priorities outlined in the Gauteng Medium Term Development Plan and the Gauteng 13-priority plan.
Maile tabled the budget in Johannesburg earlier Tuesday.
He says the main focus of the budget is on driving inclusive growth and jobs, improving living conditions and building a capable and ethical developmental state.
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— Gauteng Treasury (@GautengTreasury) March 10, 2026
In the previous financial year, the province spent just over 80% of its R175 billion budget.
Maile says the province aims not to overspend its allocated budget.
“Over the 2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, the Gauteng Provincial Government budget will amount to well over half a trillion rand, R549.3 billion, of which R179.2, R182.4 billion and R188.2 are respectively allocated to the 2026/2027, 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 financial years. The budget that we are presenting today increases by R3.6 billion from 2025/26 to 2026/2027, representing a two percent year-on-year.”
Economic growthMaile says the province’s economy is expected to grow by 2.1 percent in 2026, above the national average which is expected to grow by 1.6 percent this year.
He says that while the country is making positive economic strides, the economy remains constrained by weak growth, persistent structural bottlenecks and limited job creation.
“We are encouraged by the cautiously optimistic economic outlook, underpinned by improving conditions, notably the stabilisation of electricity supply reflected in fewer and less severe power outages, and gradual improvements in logistics and transport operations, particularly at key ports and freight rail corridors.”
Employment opportunitiesMeanwhile, Maile says Gauteng is better positioned to continue creating jobs.
He says in the previous financial year, the province created over 250 000 new positions.
Currently, the province has over six-million individuals in employment.
“In 2025, we created over 250 000 jobs in the province, with the second quarter of 2025 seeing a creation of 95 000 jobs – the highest number of jobs created by a single province in South Africa. There are currently just over six- million people employed in Gauteng. Trade and construction were among the leading sectors for job creation.”
Changes to GautrainMaile says in a constrained fiscal environment, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) remain a critical instrument.
He says the Gautrain remains a flagship example of a successful PPP in Gauteng.
Maile expressed excitement that the Gautrain will become a fully paid-up state asset valued at approximately R45 billion.
He says this will place the province in a stronger position to maximise the long-term economic and mobility benefits of this investment.
Gauteng MEC of Finance Lebogang Maile presents the 2026 Gauteng Provincial Government Budget:
www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/gauteng-gets-r3-billion-increase-in-2026-27-budget/
