Cape Town: The global investment profile of Cape Town is going to be elevate by the new ambassadors. The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth – Alderman James Vos officially appointed the new Invest Cape Town Ambassadors at a special ceremony in the Council Chamber held on Thursday, Nov 27, 2025.
Invest Cape Town Ambassadors is a selected group of globally recognised leaders who will help in positioning Cape Town’s investment to the next level. It is an initiative that forms part of a mission of the City of Cape Town to unlock new avenues for growth by mobilising influential voices who knows that Cape Town believes in its potential and can champion its strengths on the world stage.
The City of Cape Town has now formally launched the Invest Cape Town Ambassador Programme by bringing together a strategically chosen network of global leaders tasked with elevating the metro’s business and investment profile abroad.
It mainly considered the inaugural group of 15 professionals of the programme that spans a range of sectors including the arts, tourism and events, technology and business process outsourcing. The eligible ambassadors are required to have lived or worked in Cape Town and must be respected experts in their fields.
Alderman James Vos stated that between Jan 2003 and July 2023, Cape Town landed 744 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, amounting to a capital injection of R114.76 billion and facilitated the creation of approximately 23,652 employment opportunities. But as the world is becoming increasingly competitive, so they must deploy every tool available to ensure Cape Town that stands out as the preferred destination for growth and innovation.
Vos expressed that he is incredibly excited about this new ambassador programme coming to existence. These are remarkable leaders who have achieved success in their professions, and they all have a personal story about how Cape Town helped in shaping that success.
James Vos believes that their insights, networks and influence will open new avenues for them. They are going to help in carrying Cape Town’s story into boardrooms, embassies, conferences and decision-making tables around the world.
Modelled on the Copenhagen Goodwill Ambassador Programme, the initiative mirrors Denmark’s successful approach of empowering globally based leaders to promote the goods, services and attractions of their home city or country.
The Invest Cape Town Ambassadors will facilitate engagements with international decision-makers and will identify potential investors. They will share ongoing strategic intelligence on global markets and will actively promote Cape Town’s strengths through their professional and social networks. They will also unlock opportunities to position the metro as a premier destination for business and investment.
Cape Town cohort all received official Invest Cape Town Ambassador pins crafted by Charmaine Taylor of the Legacy Collection. Each pin incorporates genuine fence wire recovered from the Robben Island prison, a symbolic reminder of resilience and the power of South African stories.
Notably, Ambassadors were presented with an Ambassador Guide containing key information on Cape Town’s economic priorities and programmes. They will attend quarterly sessions to share updates on their ambassadorial work and receive briefings on relevant City initiatives. Participation in the programme is entirely voluntary, with no remuneration.
According James Vos, Cape Town has the infrastructure, good governance, and forward planning that give investors confidence. This has added City’s investment support mechanisms, including the Ease of Doing Business programme, funding of Special Purpose Vehicles across multiple industries, and a dedicated Investment Facilitation Branch, all of which demonstrates the capacity to land and expand major projects.
Vos emphasised that Cape Town has a good story to tell, and the new ambassadors will be sharing it with the world.