ECSECC was founded in July 1995 as an institutional mechanism to foster new relationships between the key stakeholders of the Eastern Cape Province.

ECSECC strives for a poverty free Eastern Cape where everyone benefits equitably from the economy and realise their human potential.

To facilitate effective and efficient administration and governance and to be a socio-economic knowledge hub for the Eastern Cape Province.

The Economic Governance programme consists of a team of agile individuals who are working in key areas designed to support economic growth and development in the province.

The programme focuses on support to the Office of the Premier, Provincial Government departments and Local Government in the field of development planning.

This is a stand-alone programme to respond to ECSECC's mandate to mobilise and coordinate stakeholders to drive a common provincial infrastructure agenda in the Eastern Cape.

The Human Resources Development Programme drives education and training initiatives that aim to build human capability for economic growth in the Eastern Cape.

Established in 2000, the Eastern Cape AIDS Council, (ECAC) operates independently of government.

The purpose of this programme is to make sure ECSECC remains the information hub of the province.

Emerging market and developing economies reached the bottom level of 4.0% growth in 2015 from 4.6% in the previous year; and thereafter forecasted to rebound at 4.5% in 2016 and 5.1% in 2018.

The drop in real GDP growth in 2014 reflected a recent downward trend with South Africa GDP growth declining from 3.2% in 2011 to 1.5% in 2014.

Poverty is an important headline figure in measuring changes in socio-economic development. Poverty in the province is still high but at least, it has been reduced from 67.9% in 2007 to 56.5% in 2014.

In December 2015 the Eastern Cape inflation rate increased to 5.3% year-on-year (y/y) from 5.1% y/y in the previous month. The Eastern Cape inflation rate for this month was higher than the South African inflation rate (5.2% y/y) and the national headline inflation rate (5.2%).

In 2015, Agriculture and Construction sectors grew the most (3.0%) but their contributions to the economy are insignificant. Electricity is the only sector that declined to 0.8%. Mining is the smallest sector in the EC economy, it contributed 0.3% to the economy and grew by 0.2%. Government remains the largest sector in the economy and its growth is commendable.

South Africa grew by 0.7% (QoQ) and the Eastern Cape by 1.5%. The Eastern Cape escaped the recession due to growth in Manufacturing, Trade and Finance sectors. In 3Q2015, five provinces were technically in recession: Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Free State and North West. Well off provinces (GT – KZN – WC) escaped the recession. The Eastern Cape and the country as a whole also escaped the recession.

The labour market has not recovered from the 2008/2009recession. Between 2003 and 2008, the official unemployment rate in the country and in the province came down but after the recession it continued to grow as the economy fails to create new jobs.

The labour market has not recovered from the 2008/2009 recession. Between 2003 and 2008, the official unemployment rate in the country and in the province came down but after the recession it continued to grow as the economy fails to create new jobs.