The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition hosted the country’s 2nd Presidential Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference on 20 March 2024 under the theme “Black Industrialists - Catalysts for Jobs and Economic Growth” held in partnership with Industrial Development Corporation, National Empowerment Fund and Export Credit Insurance Corporation. In 2022, the government gave a report card on its black industrialist programme, which was launched in 2015 to help historically disadvantaged individuals to participate in the economy and ownership of industries. Over the last eight years, according to government figures, about 900 black industrialist businesses have been given R44-billion in funding under the programme. The money came from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, state-owned development finance institutions and other agencies. These businesses have reportedly created and supported 70,000 jobs. The value of the funding swells to R55-billion over an extended 12-year period, when including other government initiatives that are aimed at supporting black-owned and black-managed businesses. In this conversation, we speak to the Department of Trade, Competition & industry and reflect on the work and success of the DTCI’s Black Industrialists programme and the Presidential Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference which included an awards ceremony to recognise business excellence and honour enterprises that promote innovation, job creation and sound business ethics. Winner of the Black Industrialist Innovation Award Queen Ndlovu and Beneficiary Terrence Pokane Leluma along with Acting DG in the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition Malebo Mabitje-Thompson join Lerato Mbele for the conversation.