Support initiatives to restore sovereign credibility

• In 2025, BLSA commissioned research to present a balanced perspective on South Africa’s fiscal and growth outlook to the “big 3” credit ratings agencies.
• The aim was to encourage possible credit rating upgrades, reduce borrowing costs, and boost investor confidence.
• Research findings were shared with BLSA members and key stakeholders to strengthen South Africa’s economic narrative.
• BLSA also raised awareness of South Africa’s sovereign credit ratings on BBC News, reaching a large international audience.

On 1 December 2024, South Africa assumed the Presidency of both the Global 20 (G20) and the Business 20 (B20) - a first for Africa.

• BLSA and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) co-chaired B20 South Africa 2025, with BLSA chairman Nonkululeko Nyembezi and BUSA president Mxolisi Mgojo serving as B20 co-chairs.
• Great progress made throughout 2025. Eight task forces chaired by business leaders, including many BLSA members, developed actionable policy recommendations on critical areas, including trade, energy, digital transformation, and finance, to be presented to the G20 Presidency.
• On 20 November 2025, successful handover of B20’s eight recommendations by B20 Sherpa Cas Coovadia to American Chamber of Business at the B20 Summit, attended by hundreds of stakeholders from across the globe.
• Global acknowledgment of SA’s hosting of the B20 and G20 and successful representation of Africa’s growing importance in the global economy

Progress towards the liberalisation of sectors catalytic to economic growth

BLSA has been supporting Operation Vulindlela (OV) since Phase 1. Phase 2 of OV launched 7 May 2025 by President Cyril Ramaphosa to follow through on Phase 1 reforms, namely:

• Transforming the electricity sector
• Creating a world-class logistics system
• Ensuring a secure and reliable supply of water
• Reforming the visa system

Additional Phase 2 reforms include:

• Digital transformation
• Spatial inequality
• Local government

BLSA will continue supporting OV during Phase 2.

Support a conducive business environment by actively tracking

BLSA launched a Reform Tracker in August 2025. The tool provides a data-driven assessment of progress in implementing South Africa’s most critical reforms. It actively monitors approximately 245 interventions across the economic, governance, and criminal justice spheres.

Provide funding and technical support for NLCC in alignment with OV objectives

Over the past three years, BLSA has contributed significant skills and funds via members, resulting in: Since 2024

• 36% reduction in waiting time for container vessels
• 45% fewer vessels anchored outside the Port of Durban
• + R700 million invested in key corridors
• Approval of the Rail Private Sector Participation (PSP) framework
• Adoption of the Freight Logistics Roadmap

As of 2025

• 79% reduction in vessels at anchorage (backlogs of 2024 largely eliminated
• Arrival of critical equipment (shift to shore cranes, rubber-tyred gantries for
• Durban and Cape Town)
• Improved container handling efficiency
• Increased container throughput
• Targeted infrastructure and cold chain upgrades
• Allocation of rail slots by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to 11 new train operating companies across 41 routes.

Transport and Freight Logistics Reform Roadmap progressing, with targets:

• 250 million tons of freight on Transnet’s network by 2029
• 30 crane moves per hour at ports
• PRASA corridor revival
• R66.1 billion rail investment confirmed.

Provide support for National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) in alignment with OV objectives

BLSA has provided significant support to NECOM over the past three years. Reporting from B4SA over last three years demonstrates significant progress:

• Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) signed into law on 16 August 2024
• Loadshedding virtually eliminated
• Increase in Energy Availability Factor (EAF) from 54% in 2023 to over 70% in September 2025
• Significant decrease in unplanned breakdowns at Eskom (down by average of
• 3.1 GW this winter compared to last).
• Drastic cut in OCGT expenditure (down by R16bn in 2025 FY)
• Addition of new, stable generation (e.g. additional 800MW [Unit 6] at Kusile.
• Addition of 6GW of new generation capacity to the grid (2024); average of 3 GW in 2025.
• In 2024 alone, business sector invested 9000 hours in Eskom engagement;
• 57 companies contributed to substantive interventions at Eskom power stations.

Provide capacity to unblock various delayed critical water and sanitation infrastructure projects

From 2023 to 2024, BLSA contracted retired technical experts to assist the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in unblocking various delayed critical water and sanitation infrastructure projects.

Working in partnership with Operation Vulindlela, Department of Home Affairs and National Treasury, enable skilled migration to the benefit of the economy; specifically encourage the necessary regulatory and legislative amendments to be adopted.

BLSA has been a key player in this success from the outset, working with (OV) team to address South Africa’s skills deficit through the streamlining of critical skills visas and the introduction and implementation of the Trusted Employer Scheme.

• Remarkable turnaround in eradicating the visa backlog, thanks to a series of swift and effective interventions. Support provided by BLSA members: Old Mutual- funding; Deloitte – implementation support.

• From 2025 to 2027, BLSA assisting with Trusted Employer Scheme and Trusted Tourist Operator (TTO) ramp-up at request of DHA.

Support SOE reform and improve government service delivery, strengthening South Africa’s fiscal position.

BLSA has been a key player in this success from the outset, working with (OV) team to address South Africa’s skills deficit through the streamlining of critical skills visas and the introduction and implementation of the Trusted Employer Scheme.

• Remarkable turnaround in eradicating the visa backlog, thanks to a series of swift and effective interventions. Support provided by BLSA members: Old Mutual- funding; Deloitte – implementation support.

• From 2025 to 2027, BLSA assisting with Trusted Employer Scheme and Trusted Tourist Operator (TTO) ramp-up at request of DHA.

• PSEC support has been ongoing since 2022.
• BLSA provided expertise through TAMDEV to inform the PSEC report to the President (Phase 1)
• In 2025, additional financial and technical support requested for Phase 2 (National State Enterprises Bill Focus)
• Further assessment required due to three-year gap
• Confirm turnaround work completed
• Re-assess viability of SOEs
• Identify additional specific SOEs to include in HoldCo
• Identify crisis SOEs for turnaround plans.