Collaboration and innovation are central to addressing South Africa’s complex urban economic challenges. Cities play a critical role in enabling inclusive growth, yet often face systemic constraints. The City Economic Development Managers’ Forum (CEDMF) offers a vital platform for metro officials to reflect, learn, and develop shared solutions.

This publication highlights key insights from the 2022 CEDMF engagements, with contributions from all eight metropolitan municipalities. It showcases practical responses to pressing issues, including facilitating investment in Nelson Mandela Bay, using public employment to strengthen waste services in Buffalo City, applying spatial economic data in eThekwini, and exploring new finance and procurement mechanisms. These stories reflect a growing recognition of the value of peer learning, data-informed planning, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

The publication was produced through the Cities Support Programme at National Treasury, with technical input from the World Bank Group and the active participation of city economic development practitioners across the country.