Abstract
The conceptual review aims to examine the international difficulties and the strategic application of the local economic development agenda. The study argued that for South Africa to implement its local development strategy at the grassroots level effectively, it can learn from global initiatives. The study contextualized local economic development (LED) from the global perspective and discussed the challenges it encounters in practice. According to researchers, local economic development (LED) is something that everyone—citizens, business owners, and the general government—should be concerned about. LED is frequently viewed as the solution to problems like increased quality of life, unemployment, poverty, and inequality. Several opposing theories and techniques constantly influence the development of policies, planning processes, and implementation methods because of the relative infancy of the area of LED research. The article discusses LED uncertainties domestically and internationally in South Africa. While concentrating on the South African context, it also examines the steps taken by the chosen countries worldwide to address the issues with LED. The study used the qualitative method by gathering information via secondary sources. The information obtained from various databases was analyzed thematically. The study identified challenges faced by LED in South Africa, such as poor leadership, lack of alignment of policies between the spheres and lack of skilled workers. The paper recommended a nine-stage strategic programme that could aid the full actualization of LEDs in South Africa.