In meeting the objectives of this specific project, Mthente researchers began by conducting an intensive desktop research phase in order to profile the province’s economic environment based on its economic performance over the last few years. During this phase, the Mthente team made use of factually referenced publications and made use of the information held by the various State Owned Enterprises (SEOs) as well as the AsgiSA Eastern Cape and the Blue Crane Development Agency.

As part of desktop research, Mthente researchers  also assessed the population dynamics of the Eastern Cape with a particular focus on youth and employment, as well as identifying the economic development strategies, objectives and challenges of the Eastern Cape by reviewing the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs’ (DEDEA) policy papers, concept papers and strategy documents. There was also be a review of the ECDC mandate together with its concept papers for purposes of alignment with the DEDEA and other Local Economic Development (LED) initiatives.

In addition to the desktop research and documentation review, Mthente  held stakeholder consultations with representatives from the DEDEA, NGOs, relevant funding institutions, the Provincial Chamber of Commerce and district and local municipalities. Upon completing the research process, Mthente then facilitated an interactive strategy workshop for the ECDC Board. Thereafter, recommendations from the workshop were combined with the output from the other phases of the project and were consolidated into one final report.