LEDA is established in terms of the Limpopo Economic Development Corporation Act, Act No. 5 of 1994, as amended, and complies with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) as a Schedule 3D agency. It has been established as a special purpose vehicle, culminating from the amalgamation of four historical agencies, namely Trade and Investment Limpopo, the Limpopo Business Support Agency, the Limpopo Agribusiness Development Corporation and the Limpopo Economic Development Enterprise.

1. VISION

A leader in sustainable economic growth and job creation.

2. MISSION

To implement integrated economic development initiatives in Limpopo, through:
•accelerated industrial diversification;
•increased levels of trade and investment; and
•by developing sustainable enterprises.

The mission reflects the role of both the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA), as the policy implementing arm of the province, and LEDET, as follows:

1. Providing business intelligence, as well as research and development (R&D) towards innovative solutions: Using scientific impact assessment tools and approaches to develop scenarios and business intelligence; monitor and evaluate the impact of projects; and  provide capacity support in areas of development, such as economic development research. Being a first point of call in terms of business and market intelligence.
2. Conceptualising economic programmes and drivers: Unpacking policy directives, as well as understanding what is unique to the region and will stimulate growth. Supporting integrated region- wide planning on economic development, as well as investment planning and advancement. Understanding the provincial value proposition and its comparative global competitiveness.
3. Identifying and packaging development opportunities and leveraging partnerships: Developing bankable business and/or project plans to best attract and leverage private sector and other partnerships and investment to targeted projects; and providing a framework for both government’s involvement and its exit/handover strategy and approach with regard to identified projects and programmes. Optimising and leveraging that which other partners are doing in a particular space.
4. Supporting local economic development (LED) capabilities (where LED is by definition localised): Providing a regional view and supportive framework to LED in terms of how it might integrate with, and benefit from a regional focus and strategic framework, while identifying and leveraging opportunities for collaboration.
5. Customising support for priority economic sectors and subsectors: Understanding the value chain of the sectors targeted for support, followed by clearly targeting support towards industrialisation and the growth of labour-intensive industries. Focusing only on sectors that are most likely to benefit from the impact and be consistent in terms of growth and development. Understanding the unique selling point of Limpopo. Driving Limpopo’s global competitiveness and understanding the global value chain.
6. Coordinating and managing the implementation of strategic infrastructure and economic interventions: Acting as a “Centre of Excellence”, providing capacity, capability and competence in project and programme management, project planning, project oversight and management of development interventions.
7. Facilitating trade and investment: Sourcing and facilitating funding for investment projects in the province; supporting   business    expansion and retention; supporting and driving enterprise development; and attracting new industries to the province.

3. INSTITUTIONAL VALUES

The values discussion specifically emphasised that the values require targeted management intervention to ensure that these values are visible and “lived”, while they should also be assessed as part of LEDA’s performance management approach, under direction of the Managing Director.

4. STRATEGIC GOALS

1. Accelerated industrial diversification via strategic economic development interventions.
2. Sustainable enterprises in targeted sectors of the economy.
3. Increased trade and investment in Limpopo.
4. Public accountability; sound corporate governance; and sustainable resource utilisation.

Individually, each goal represents an aspiration LEDA seeks to achieve as it pursues its mission (aim). Collectively, the goals define the full spectrum of LEDA’s role and focus. The attainment of each goal will require LEDA-specific focus and, of great importance, support and collaboration from both internal and external stakeholders.

Service Delivery Agreement

LEDA’s work and focus are governed by its Service Delivery Agreement, which outlines LEDA’s primary objectives as follows:

1. To be both a stimulus and catalyst in enhancing provincial economic capacity.
2. To provide “thought leadership” by way of circumventing sporadic, uncoordinated and disjointed economic development projects which, in most instances, operate in direct contrast with stated policies and the province’s economic interests.
3. To strive towards organising a more coherent system of economic delivery in the province.
4. To act as custodian of policy implementation, by assisting government in identifying specific high-impact projects that will accelerate and sustain growth and development, as well as to create productive and sustainable employment opportunities.
5. To lead government in planning and executing strategies towards shaping the future of Limpopo’s economy, by shifting from a culture of disaggregation to a more collaborative approach. It also has a long-term view with regard to expanding the provincial economy.
6. To pursue an industrialisation trajectory that is responsive to:

• the promotion of more labour-absorbing industrial sectors, with the emphasis on tradable labour-absorbing goods and services, as well as economic linkages that catalyse employment creation;
• the promotion of a broader-based industrialisation path that is characterised by greater levels of participation; and
• the intensification of Limpopo’s industrialisation process and the province’s movement towards a knowledge and skills-based economy.