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South Africa possesses one of the world's richest mineral endowments, yet its mining sector continues to underperform. This follow-up note to the BER and ERSA's Understanding South Africa's mining slowdown examines how targeted reforms to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) could reduce regulatory uncertainty, ease administrative bottlenecks, and improve the investment environment. The note proposes practical legislative amendments to help unlock exploration, attract capital, and support stronger long-term growth.
Read MoreThe recent decision by the Minister of Finance to freeze payments to 69 municipalities has, once again, focused attention on municipal reform. Municipal reform is critical for economic success. In this note, we analyse the reform programme, highlighting that the missing link is appropriate intervention powers.
Read MoreJoburg on the Brink is our first interactive data story. Through data visualisation and analysis, this non-partisan explainer examines how political instability, corruption and financial mismanagement have shaped Johannesburg's decline. It can be viewed here: https://dashboard.ber.ac.za/datastories/joburg-crossroads
Read MoreThe Reform Barometer tracks whether South Africa's structural reforms are translating into real economic outcomes. While reform momentum remains positive and several initiatives are beginning to deliver results, implementation and execution continue to determine the pace of progress.
Read MoreVehicle imports from China and India have become one of the most visible shifts in South Africa’s automotive market over the past few years. Lower-priced vehicles from both markets have expanded consumer choice and improved affordability in an economy where households have become increasingly price-sensitive. At the same time, rising imports have intensified competition for domestic producers and contributed to growing concern about the long-term trajectory of local manufacturing, investment and employment within the automotive sector.
Read MoreYesterday's QLFS release was a reminder of how badly South Africa needs faster economic growth, with 8.1 million people unemployed and another 3.9 million discouraged work-seekers who have given up looking for work. But growth on its own won't close a shortfall of such scale unless it translates into more hiring. This note looks at why economic reform, from infrastructure and service delivery through to product-market regulation, is central to lifting the employment payoff from growth.
Read MoreSouth Africans are already putting AI to work; now the policy framework needs to catch up. This note by Prof Johan Fourie argues for an adoption-first approach that reduces friction, supports diffusion and focuses on real productivity gains rather than new bureaucracy
Read MoreIn a paper prepared for the BER’s Impumelelo Economic Growth Lab, former National Treasury economist Andrew Donaldson charts the evolution of South Africa’s pension fund industry spanning the past 40 years. He shows that the increase in assets under management has been accompanied by a relative decline in investment in public sector debt. The analysis raises important questions about sustainable financing of growth and development.
Read MoreThe following slides accompany the research paper with the same title.
This comprehensive document, "Pick a Bird. Any Bird: Scenarios for the South African economy (2026-2030)" outlines a detailed route to economic success: growth that lifts South Africans out of poverty and creates a platform for sustained long-term prosperity.
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