Over half of SA's township businesses have a yearly turnover above R500 000
Townships are where roughly a third of South Africans live and trade, and township trade is not just a ‘side-hustle’. It is estimated to be worth anywhere between R200-billion and R900-billion yearly, depending on the sources you use. What is known for sure is that it is a network of entrepreneurs, traders, and small business owners who keep communities running, create jobs, and circulate cash long before it reaches the formal sector.
A recent Standard Bank report is the latest attempt to understand this often overlooked sector of the economy.
The report, based on a survey of 250 township businesses, found that while many businesses had relatively low revenues, around 25% of the operators reported turnover of between R500 000 and R750 000 a year. And 14% of businesses reported a turnover of more than R1-million.
The survey underpinning the report was conducted between March and May 2025 and covered businesses ranging from micro enterprises to small businesses.
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