More Than Two-Thirds of SA SMEs Plan to Raise Prices in the Near Term Amid Cost Pressures, SBGI Report Finds

Loading player...
GUEST - Lindo Mbanjwa, Head of Business Development & Partnerships for SMEs at Absa Business Banking

A survey of more than 2,000 small businesses in South Africa shows that two-thirds (67%) plan to raise prices up to 10% over the next six months in response to persistently rising operational costs, while only 38% believe they can survive for more than a year under current pressures without external support – according to the latest edition of the Small Business Growth Index (SBGI) report, covering the second half of 2025.

Launched in February through a partnership between Absa Business Banking, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), and the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) at Unisa, the SBGI is South Africa’s first barometer providing real-time, evidence-based insights into the performance and conditions shaping the small business ecosystem.
2 Dec 3PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

SA economy edged up 0.5% in Q3.

Guest: Joe de Beer, DDG for Economic Statistics – Stats SA South Africa’s economy is growing but just barely. Stats SA’s latest numbers show real GDP edged up 0.5% in Q3 2025, marking a fourth straight quarterly rise despite pressure from U.S. trade tariffs and ongoing domestic constraints. Mining led…
2 Dec 3PM 9 min

South Africans expect to spend a record R289 billion this festive season.

GUEST – Tina Manyanya - Spokesperson at Wonga Results from the eighth annual Summer Spending Survey, conducted by short-term lender Wonga, indicate that South Africans are expected to spend more than R289 billion over the upcoming festive season, with 70% spending more than they normally would in a month. According…
2 Dec 3PM 12 min

Gauteng pumps R3.3 billion into service delivery to rescue frontline services.

GUEST – Mcedisi Vilakazi – Deputy Director-General: Sustainable Fiscal Resource Management, Gauteng Treasury As Gauteng tables its provincial Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, the stakes have never been higher. With water outages triggering protests, municipal finances sliding, and basic services under strain the provincial government has injected an additional R3.3 billion…
2 Dec 3PM 14 min