Monitoring recorded 11 projects in the second quarter of 2024. The number of projects that published investment values was limited and only three projects account for the R8 billion recorded for the quarter. Furthermore, only one project reported on employment, announcing 200 temporary jobs. The Tracker further updated 17 pre-existing projects.

South Africa’s exports continued to decline in the first quarter of 2024, after falling for two consecutive quarters. In Q1 2024, South African exports fell by 7.8% year-on-year, from R510 billion in Q1 2023 to R470 billion (in constant 2024 prices). On a quarter-to-quarter basis, exports declined by 10%, down…

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…

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response.   This study outlines…

The Import Localisation and Supply Chain Disruption study seeks to identify goods from the list of imports identified in the quarterly Import Trackers that South Africa could possibly viably manufacture. Each report focuses on five manufactured items from the list of imports in the corresponding Import Tracker quarterly reports. The five products for the First Half 2024 are: Product 1: Photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panels Product 2: Steering wheels, steering columns, and steering boxes, and parts thereof, n.e.s: Other               Product 3: Artificial joints for orthopaedic purposes Product 4: Combine-Harvester-Threshers Product 5: Gears and gearing for machinery…

The medical devices sector in South Africa is characterised by its complexity and diversity, involving numerous products, companies, and rapid innovation cycles. This sector, despite not being a major employment generator, plays a crucial role in healthcare delivery and offers significant growth potential through both local manufacturing and international investments.…

Main Bulletin: The Real Economy Bulletin - Third Quarter 2024 In this edition GDP growth: The GDP shrank by 0.35% in the third quarter of 2024. The main driver was a reported 29% drop in agricultural production, mostly due to the drought. The rest of the economy expanded 0.4%. In manufacturing, the auto industry faced headwinds as international car exports contracted. Read more. Employment: In the year to the third quarter of 2024, formal employment was virtually unchanged. In contrast, informal employment reportedly climbed by 7%, with a surge in informal construction jobs. As a result, the Quarterly Labour Force Survey found an…

This research evaluates the progress and outcomes to date from the master plan approach to industrial policy, which was initiated in 2019. To that end, a main report analyses the 10 master plans published as of December 2023 using the theory of change methodology: the automotive industry; poultry sector; retail, clothing,…

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…

In Q2 2024, exports increased 12% quarter-on-quarter, rising from R466 billion to R523 billion, mostly driven by exports to Areas Not Elsewhere Specified (Area NES), Germany and India. However, on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis, exports declined marginally by 1.3% from R530 billion in Q2 2023 (constant 2024 prices) to R523…

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response.This industry study examines global…

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response.This study aims to analyse…

The steel value chain has been in a long-term downturn since the mid-2000s. Only the mini mills, which produce long steel, and parts of downstream manufacturing have grown. The new public infrastructure build programme, especially for electricity and rail, should support recovery by boosting domestic demand. It may, however, just…

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response.This study outlines the technological…

From 1 December 2024, South Africa assumed the Presidency of the G20. South Africa has a unique role to play in the G20 process. Its presidency follows that of a troika of other major developing countries: Brazil (2024), India (2023) and Indonesia (2022), and is expected to carry forward and…

South Africa's trade surplus declined by 18% to R35 billion in the year to the third quarter of 2024. Total exports for the third quarter of 2024 amounted to R510 billion, while imports amounted to R475 billion. The composition of the top five import products remains unchanged. Imports of diesel…

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response.This study analyses trends in…

What happens to Sasol’s Secunda Coal-toChemicals-and-Liquids facility, which is a major contributor to the domestic economy, illustrates the difficulties South Africa faces in its transition to a lower-carbon future. Sasol, the only domestic source of petrochemicals for a myriad of downstream industries, is heavily reliant on coal, and hence…

Green Industrial Policy (Green IP) aims to advance green industries and transform existing sectors to support the move towards low-carbon economies. Traditionally, industrial policy has focused on enhancing productivity and economic prosperity by supporting specific industries. However, the growing urgency of climate change has caused a shift towards Green IP,…

This paper assesses the economic performance of continental SADC with specific attention to the status quo of industrialisation in the region and the aim of stimulating development of regional value chains. Southern Africa is among the poorest regions in the world, largely due to colonialism and dependence on commodities. Several decades after the end of colonial rule,regional manufacturing remains small, relative to peers, with South Africa disproportionately represented. This paper builds on previous work which sought to uncover the potential for greater regional integration through economic diversification and industrialisation.