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The Free State Department of Finance will host its annual Research Colloquium in Bloemfontein, where academics, thought leaders, researchers and professionals will come under one roof to discuss how the province can improve its economy and competency in the country and the globe.
Treasury will host the 2025 Colloquium under the theme: Inclusive economic recovery and long-term growth.
The Free State’s economic outlook according the MEC for Finance Mr Ketso Makume is expected to grow from 0.6% in 2024 to about 1.6 percent in 2025, followed by 1.7 percent in 2026. He said during his budget speech in March 2025, that this anticipated growth is expected to be buoyed by improved performance from the agriculture, finance, trade, and construction sectors.
Though this may be good news, the province has been experiencing a hard-knock in the labour market, with its unemployment rate reaching 38.5% in the second quarter. As if that is not enough, skilled people are migrating to greener postures as the province has little to offer.
According to Risenga Maluleka, the Statistician General for Stats SA, the Free State province has the second lowest population of 3 million; this has declined from 5.9% in 2002 to 4.8% in 2025. The province has experienced an out-migration of -12 978.
The low economic growth and high unemployment rate in the Free State has also impacted on the socio-economic matters; with its life expectancy being the lowest in the country. According to Maluleka, the Free State has a life expectancy of 57.3 years for males and 64. 2 years for females.
However, these problems provide an opportunity for skilled individuals and institutions to participate in turning the tide around. The Free State Government has made strides in attracting investors into the country and to revive the agricultural sector as well and claim its breadbasket title.
According to Stats SA, the 2023 Agricultural Industry report showed a R491.7 billion total income of the industry. The report further shows that the provinces contributing the most to total income in 2023 was Western Cape (R100,9 billion of the national total), followed by Free State (R80,2 billion), Gauteng (R55,5 billion), Mpumalanga (R52,2 billion) and North West (R52,2 billion).
This made the Free State the second highest contributor towards the sector and the country’s GDP.
To keep the upward trajectory, the Provincial Government and Treasury host annual Research Colloquiums where researchers can present their latest research in certain sectors to help improve the economy of the province.
The call for research papers is now open and will close on 12 September 2025. Researchers are requested to discuss subjects on the sub-theme that include: opportunities and challenges to build resilient economic growth and development. Impact of technological innovation (e.g 4IR, AI, and robotics) on achieving long-term economic growth and development; amongst others.
Researchers can submit their abstract electronically in English not exceeding 250 words. They can send them to colloquium2025@treasury.fs.gov.za
To those who wish to participate, they can RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/P1EUD7QiHY
The colloquium will be held from 7 to 8 October 2025 at the Central University of Technology (CUT) ZR Mahabane, Bloemfontein campus.
