<p>In July 2026, the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) announced that more than 40,000 informal and micro businesses had been registered on the DSBD Connect System. The digital platform is designed to support the registration and formalisation of small businesses and spaza shops, improve access to government support and funding opportunities, and facilitate partnerships for business development. The Department also indicated that it is working with SALGA and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to implement the registration programme and expand the number of registered businesses.</p>

Registration of Small Businesses and Spaza Shops on the DSBD Connect System

Launch One Stop Shops across all provinces for small and medium enterprises

<div class="ewa-rteLine">On 1 October 2024, the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) commenced operations following the merger of the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), and the Cooperative Banks Development Agency (CBDA) under the National Small Enterprise Amendment Act.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">The establishment of SEDFA creates a single institution to provide integrated financial and non-financial support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across South Africa. The agency was incorporated as a state-owned company, with the State as the sole shareholder, and operates under the Public Finance Management Act and the Companies Act.</div>

Commencement of Operations of the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA)

<div class="ewa-rteLine">In July 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to the National Small Enterprise Amendment Act, which amends the National Small Enterprise Act of 1996 to establish the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA) as a one-stop shop for small businesses.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">The new agency consolidates the functions of the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), and the Cooperative Banks Development Agency to streamline financial and non-financial support services for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The Act also establishes the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Service to address complaints and promote fair trading practices affecting small enterprises.</div>

Assent to the National Small Enterprise Amendment Act Establishing a One-Stop Shop for Small Businesses

<p>The Northern Cape-based InvestSA One Stop Shop was launched during the Northern Cape Investment and Jobs Conference (13&ndash;15 April 2026). The initiative is a collaboration between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Northern Cape Provincial Government, aimed at streamlining investor support and improving the ease of doing business in the province.</p>

Launch of Northern Cape InvestSA One Stop Shop

<div class="ewa-rteLine">The National Treasury and the World Bank signed a US$1.5 billion Development Policy Loan to support infrastructure reforms and promote inclusive economic growth. The financing will support the government's structural reform programme in the electricity, freight and logistics, and water and sanitation sectors, addressing infrastructure constraints that hinder economic growth and job creation.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">The loan forms part of the government's broader infrastructure reform agenda and is expected to strengthen energy security, improve freight transport services, and enhance the delivery of water and sanitation services. National Treasury indicated that the financing aligns with its borrowing strategy by securing affordable, long-term funding to support key development priorities</div>

Signing of US$1.5 Billion World Bank Development Policy Loan

Increase the scale of investment in infrastructure

<div class="ewa-rteLine">The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury adopted a R168.2 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, aimed at supporting economic growth, strengthening service delivery, and improving fiscal sustainability. The budget aligns with the Provincial Financial Recovery Plan and prioritises spending on education, health, and social development, which together account for more than 80% of provincial expenditure.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">The budget also allocates funding for infrastructure development, road maintenance, the rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by natural disasters, and investments in early childhood development, agriculture, tourism, and public infrastructure to stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities across the province.</div>

Adoption of the KwaZulu-Natal 2026/27 Provincial Budget

Manage public finances with a view to stabilising debt

<div class="ewa-rteLine">The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment transferred the management of seven state plantations in the Nqadu area to beneficiary communities, with a further four plantations scheduled for transfer during the 2026/27 financial year. To support the successful management of the plantations, the Department is facilitating partnerships between beneficiary communities and strategic forestry companies to provide investment, technical expertise, skills development, and access to markets.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>

Transfer of State Plantations to Beneficiary Communities

Increase funding to land reform, prioritise the transfer of state land and improve post-settlement support by strengthening the institutional capacity of responsible structures.

<div class="ewa-rteLine">The Department of Home Affairs waived the requirement for applicants to submit a medical report when applying for temporary residence visas in South Africa and permanent residence permits submitted both locally and abroad. The directive, which took effect on 8 July 2026, forms part of the Department's ongoing efforts to simplify immigration processes and reduce administrative burdens on applicants.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">The reform builds on previous measures to streamline visa applications, including the removal of the radiological report requirement and the simplification of police clearance certificate requirements. These changes aim to reduce processing costs and waiting times while improving the efficiency of South Africa's immigration system.</div>

Waiver of Medical Report Requirement for Visa and Permanent Residence Applications

Continue with the visa reforms to attract skills and investment and grow the tourism sector

<p>In May 2026, the government approved R179.6 million under the Spaza Shop Support Fund to support South African-owned spaza shops across all nine provinces. The programme, implemented by the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency and the National Empowerment Fund, approved support for 2,369 businesses, including 1,316 applications valued at R79.6 million through SEDFA and 1,053 enterprises valued at R99.9 million through the NEF. The Fund provides financial and business development support, including stock purchases, infrastructure upgrades, and business training, while promoting the participation of women-, youth-, and disability-owned enterprises.</p>

Government approved R179.6 million, with 2,369 businesses approved for support

Support small- and medium-sized enterprises in townships and rural areas

<p>The Minister of Electricity and Energy published and brought into effect the Electricity Transmission Infrastructure Regulations, establishing a formal framework for the development and implementation of Independent Transmission Projects (ITP). The regulations define institutional roles, procurement processes, consultation procedures, and cost recovery mechanisms for transmission infrastructure development. They enable competitive procurement of transmission capacity involving private sector participation and provide the regulatory foundation for the rollout of the national ITP Programme, aimed at expanding and modernising South Africa&rsquo;s electricity transmission network.</p>

Electricity Transmission Infrastructure Regulations Establish Framework for Independent Transmission Projects Programme

Develop an Independent Transmission Projects Policy Framework

<p>National Treasury successfully raised R11.795 billion through South Africa&rsquo;s first sovereign Infrastructure and Development Finance Bond to support infrastructure investment and economic growth.&nbsp;</p>

National Treasury Successfully Issues South Africa’s First Sovereign Infrastructure and Development Finance Bond

Increase infrastructure investment, access, and efficiency

<p>The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) launched the Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme to support youth-led enterprises with export readiness training, mentorship, market access support, and participation in strategic trade frameworks such as the AfCFTA and SADC. The programme aims to strengthen youth entrepreneurship, expand export capacity, and support growth in labour-intensive and strategic sectors through global market integration</p>

Launch of the Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme for Youth-Led Enterprises

Accelerate growth of strategic industrial and labour-intensive sectors

<p>The Department of Small Business Development published the draft National Entrepreneurship Strategy and Implementation Plan for public comment. The strategy aims to create a coordinated entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports innovation, business development, job creation, access to finance, skills development, and market access for MSMEs, township enterprises, start-ups, and informal businesses.</p>

Department of Small Business Development publishes draft National Entrepreneurship Strategy and Implementation Plan

Create an enabling environment for MSMEs, township and village enterprises, formal start-ups, and informal enterprises, targeting 1.055 million small businesses

<p>The National Treasury allocated an additional R7.5 billion to the South African Revenue Service over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to strengthen revenue collection and improve resource mobilisation.&nbsp;</p>

National Treasury Allocates Additional R7.5 Billion to Strengthen SARS Revenue Collection Capacity

Strengthen the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to maximise resource mobilisation

<p>South Africa began rolling out the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), a digital system that enables eligible travellers to apply online and receive fast approvals. The platform streamlines visa processing, supports biometric verification, and allows travellers to be processed at airports in under 60 seconds</p>

Roll Out Electronic Travel Authorisation System

Upgrade the e-Visa system to an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system

<p>The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, published the approved White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa for implementation. The policy aims to increase tourism&rsquo;s contribution to the economy through broader geographic and year-round distribution of visitor volumes and tourism revenue.</p>

Publication of the Approved Tourism White Paper 2024

Increase destination marketing and improve security at key tourist sites

<p>In June 2025, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and Lesotho&rsquo;s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation. The MoU established a formal platform for cooperation aimed at promoting mutually beneficial trade and investment relations, facilitating the exchange of experiences, and supporting collaboration in areas such as standards, cross-border value chains, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.</p>

Implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation between South Africa and Lesotho to Strengthen Trade and Investment

Reduce the high cost of investment and cross-border trade and address the structural decline in global competitiveness, including addressing constraints in logistics, energy, and other network industries and regulatory barriers

<p>Between 2024 and 2025, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) revived 35 of 40 priority passenger rail corridors and introduced more than 300 locally manufactured train sets as part of efforts to restore and modernise the country&rsquo;s passenger rail network. The recovery programme aimed to improve commuter access between outlying areas and city centres and strengthen the reliability and capacity of public rail transport services.</p>

Revival of Priority Rail Corridors and Introduction of New Train Sets

Complete the recovery of the passenger rail network across the country to enable people to travel from outlying areas to city centres

<p>Cabinet approved the Tourism Route Development Marketing Plan in December 2024, aimed at improving air connectivity to South Africa through coordinated route development and marketing initiatives.&nbsp;</p>

Approval of Tourism Route Development Marketing Plan (2024)

Improve airlift through new airline routes to South African airports

<p>The Department of Employment and Labour gazetted an increase in the national minimum wage, setting it at R30.23 per ordinary hour worked, effective 1 March 2026. The revised wage applies across sectors, including domestic and farm workers, with adjusted rates also provided for Expanded Public Works Programme workers and learnership agreements.&nbsp;</p>

Gazetting of Increased National Minimum Wage (2026)

The Department of Employment and Labour, in consultation with the National Treasury, will ensure that the national minimum wage is regularly increased, in line with inflation

<p>The Department of Employment and Labour published the Labour Laws Amendment Bill, 2025 and the Labour Relations Amendment Bill, 2025, together with related notices, aimed at strengthening workers&rsquo; rights and protections, including measures to improve job security, fairness, and the enforcement of labour standards.&nbsp;</p>

Publication of Labour Law Amendment Bills and Worker Protection Notices (2025)

Improve and uphold workers' rights

<p><span style="color: #242424; font-family: 'Aptos Narrow', Calibri, 'sans-serif', 'Mongolian Baiti', 'Microsoft Yi Baiti', 'Javanese Text', 'Yu Gothic'; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Government has welcomed the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) results released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), which show that the economy grew by 0.5% in the third quarter of 2025. </span></p>

Government welcomes 0.5% GDP growth

Achieve 2.7% GDP growth by  2027 and above 3% GDP growth by 2029

<p>The cabinet has approved the submission of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade to Parliament for ratification.&nbsp;The protocol aims to enhance the participation of women and youth in trade under the AfCFTA, and it outlines specific objectives such as helping women and youth traders to participate in the markets effectively</p>

The cabinet has approved the submission of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade to Parliament for ratification.

Prioritise the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area to increase our exports to the rest of the continent

Increase employment and work opportunities, targeting 6 million jobs and reduce unemployment to below 28% by 2029

Create an enabling environment for investment and improved competitiveness through structural reforms

Improve the export environment through a review of industrial policy, localisation initiatives and sector-specific policies

Increase trade and investment by leveraging on existing partnerships such as BRICS+, Agoa and SA-UK

Establish a comprehensive and targeted export promotion strategy and export finance framework to address information asymmetries and ensure appropriate financial products and services are available

Implement practical partnerships between the state and sector-focused private sector bodies to promote investment, exports, and job creation in future-facing sectors

Create a dynamic science, technology, and innovation ecosystem for growth

Accelerate interventions for redress, economic empowerment, and spatial transformation in favour of previously marginalised groups

Create active support and access to finance, markets and public procurement opportunities for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Create an enabling environment for private sector investment and reduce the complexity of the PPP regulatory framework

Expand and strengthen the transmission network to enable new generation capacity in areas with strong wind and solar resources

<div class="ewa-rteLine" style="height: auto; line-height: inherit; cursor: text; overflow: hidden; white-space: pre-wrap; padding-right: 10px; color: #242424; font-family: 'Aptos Narrow', Calibri, 'sans-serif', 'Mongolian Baiti', 'Microsoft Yi Baiti', 'Javanese Text', 'Yu Gothic'; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has announced an ambitious Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 aimed at resolving the country&rsquo;s long-standing electricity crisis and jump-starting economic growth. Government plans to invest R2.2 trillion, which is about 30% of the nation&rsquo;s gross domestic product (GDP), in a comprehensive energy transformation strategy.</div>

Minister of electricity unveils massive R2.2 trillion electricity plan to revive economy

Build over 14,400 km of new high-voltage transmission lines under the Transmission Development Plan (TDP)

<div class="ewa-rteLine">Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has named five companies</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">as preferred bidders for the development of liquid bulk and green fuel terminals in the South Dunes</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">Precinct of the Port of Richards Bay for a 25-year concession period. The development, worth</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">approximately R17 billion, is an integral part of expanding the port&rsquo;s liquid bulk handling capacity</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">while advancing South Africa&rsquo;s energy transition.</div>

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) ANNOUNCES PREFERRED BIDDERS FOR MULTI-BILLION RAND LIQUID BULK AND GREEN FUEL TERMINALS AT RICHARDS BAY PORT

Implement the Freight Logistics Roadmap to enable private sector investment in ports and rail

Simplify and speed up planning and regulatory processes to make it easier for businesses to invest and operate in a municipality, thus creating more jobs

<div class="ewa-rteLine">The Taxation Laws Amendment Bill has been passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the NCOP for concurrence.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>

Taxation Laws Amendment Bill passed

Reduce the undue regulatory burdens that hold back businesses from creating jobs.

Expand the basket of essential food items exempt from VAT and undertake a comprehensive review of administered prices, including the fuel price formula

<p>The government of South Africa has allocated more than R219.2 billion to South Africa's green energy revolution, with the majority of the funds going towards strengthening the sector's infrastructure.</p>

Treasury aims to give R219.2 billion boost to power a greener future

Invest more than R1.5 trillion in a just transition, including support for workers and communities in Mpumalanga and other coal-producing regions.

Create a green manufacturing sector centred on the export of green hydrogen and associated products, electric vehicles and renewable energy components.

<p>Government has worked with the China-African Precious Metals Company as means of increasing investment and to create jobs. This company has opened a newly refurbished gold processing plant that is guaranteed to create about 4 000 work opportunities in Orkney in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality, North West.</p>

Government has supported and facillitated the expansion of China-African Precious Metals in North West

Work with stakeholders to develop and implement Master Plans to grow important industries, increase investment, create jobs and foster transformation

Pursue a smart industrial policy that focuses on the competitiveness of our economy, and that incentivises businesses to expand our exports and create jobs

<p>The Minerals Council South Africa has welcomed the launch of both the Mineral Resources Development Bill and the Critical Minerals Strategy by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR). Both documents come at a pivotal time to realise the potential for South Africa&rsquo;s mining industry and its contribution to economic growth and energy transition.</p>

Citizens Watch

Promise

Promise History

Registration of Small Businesses and Spaza Shops on the DSBD Connect System

Commencement of Operations of the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA)

Assent to the National Small Enterprise Amendment Act Establishing a One-Stop Shop for Small Businesses

Launch of Northern Cape InvestSA One Stop Shop