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Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) recently released the Income & Expenditure Survey (IES) 2022/2023, which provides detailed insights into household income, consumption, and spending across national, provincial, and metropolitan levels. Conducting an analysis of the IES 2022/2023 is worthwhile in terms of industrial policy as the survey offers critical data directly…
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This policy brief examines the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), its member states, its objectives and trade between the member states. It also looks at the trade relationship between SACU and the United States (US), focusing on the US reciprocal tariffs and SACU’s exports to the US. Lastly, the policy…
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This brief policy is an analysis of South Africa’ imports between 1995 and 2023. The aim is to provide an understanding of changes in the extent and composition of imports over this period. The analysis classifies imports based on the industry in which they fall, and whether they are intermediate…
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- Author(s) Luthandolwethu Zondi, Saul Levin, Nothembi Mahlangu
This policy brief examines the funding gaps for small to medium enterprises in South Africa: the sustainability of SMEs requires better access to formal financial services. It first provides an overview of SMEs in South Africa, comprising information about the size of both the formal and informal small business sectors,…
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- Author(s) Gaylor Montmasson-Clair
This policy brief opens the door for a deeper understanding of South Africa’s tale of three transitions. First, the electricity transition, characterised by a shift to more decentralised, modular and renewable energy-based systems, is discussed with a focus on the necessary steps to transition the power system sustainability and inclusively. Second, the connected but…
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19 November 2024
Beneficiation and Industrial Policy
- Author(s) Dr Neva Makgetla
The draft Medium Term Development Plan for 2024 to 2029 sets increased beneficiation as an outcome. Specifically, it argues that government policy on the mining value chain should “Focus on processing our minerals so that we export finished products rather than raw commodities.” This policy brief analyses progress to date…
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06 November 2024
A policy primer for green industrialisation in South Africa
- Author(s) Gaylor Montmasson-Clair, Muhammed Patel
A global transition to low-carbon development pathways, enabled by rapid technological evolution is underway. This transition was initially fostered by policy and the urgency of climate action, primarily to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The transition is increasingly driven by market forces, as greentech becomes more and more competitive. Global dynamics…
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- Author(s) Nokwanda Maseko
South Africa has not fully realised the benefits of localisation as a tool for reindustrialisation. A number of issues contribute to this: a) failure to consolidate demand across the state due to fragmentation of procurement plans; b) the influx of cheaper imports which threatened industries such as steel and the clothing,…
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25 October 2024
Industrial Policy in Context: An Overview of NIPF and IPAPs
- Author(s) Lucas Mthembu
This policy brief provides a summary of nine Industrial Policy Action Plans (IPAPs) published from 2007 to 2018. The National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) set out the strategic direction for South Africa’s industrialisation. The NIPF was a framework for IPAPs, aiming to support labour-absorbing and value-adding industries while shifting from…
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02 July 2024
Rules of origin and investment in textiles and apparel within the African Continental Free Trade Area
- Year 2024
- Author(s) Liako Mofo
Rules of origin (ROO) could have an impact on investment in Africa. In the highly contested textile and apparel sector the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations on the rules have not been concluded. The choice of what type of ROO to adopt will have far-reaching implications. African countries cannot rely on…
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