SOUTH AFRICA’S

Collaborating to Compete in Cape Town and Western Cape and Greater Sydney
Launched in 2012, the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership is an independent nonprofit
organization that seeks to improve the local and regional economy by building and sustaining
partnerships between different public, private, and civic stakeholders. 123 It is mandated to organize
leaders around a shared economic vision for Cape Town and the Western Cape, develop the partnering
processes and partnerships necessary to implement that vision, and then use a data-oriented approach to
track and monitor performance over time. It exists outside of government, but works with government in
an advisory capacity on economic planning and development partnering methodology. Its board consists
of a mix of private sector and local, provincial, and national government officials, as well as the EDP chief
executive, and is chaired by a former cabinet minister. While still in its experimental phase, early signs
indicate that EDP is providing value locally, leading on initiatives to bolster the agriculture sector, improve
the innovation ecosystem, align local spatial economies, strengthen business and community safety partnerships,
convene diverse groups around open data, convene government-business engagements around
pressing issues such as energy security and develop Cape Town and the Western Cape’s global identity.
The EDP is linked to other metro regions in South Africa in a knowledge-sharing partnership through the
Economies of Regions Learning Network, an initiative of the National Treasury.
In 2003, leaders in Greater Sydney—Australia’s largest metropolitan economy—founded the Committee for
Sydney to enhance and retain the region’s global position. With over 100 members that include large firms,
universities, not-for-profits, local governments and state government departments, and key cultural, sporting,
and marketing bodies, the committee does not represent one specific sector but rather uses research,
advocacy, and network-building to advance a unified regional economic agenda beyond any one election
cycle. The committee organizes taskforces that offer thought leadership and policy recommendations on
high-priority issues such as planning and housing, transportation, financial and professional services, and
livability. These taskforces have delivered results. Within the financial services issue area, the committee’s
work has helped inaugurate Stone and Chalk, a financial technology (fintech) hub that aims boost entrepreneurship
within financial services and connect new companies with larger corporations, venture capital,
and university research. 125
“Progress towards full equality of opportunity
and long-term competitiveness requires addressing
the city-region’s significant levels of unemployment,
income inequality, and social exclusion.”
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