The emerging township informal economy is not just a rising segment of South Africa’s broader economic landscape, it is its heartbeat. It is where resilience meets innovation, where necessity births enterprise, and where informal businesses quietly power livelihoods, families, and communities. Yet, despite their undeniable contribution, emerging township entrepreneurs often remain on the margins of formal economic support.

At Standard Bank, we believe that inclusive growth is not possible without intentional investment in the emerging and township economy. This is why our Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) strategy is deeply rooted in enabling access – access to markets (both locally and internationally), to funding, to infrastructure, and to knowledge. We recognise that the barriers faced by township businesses are not just financial, they are systemic, historical, and often deeply personal.

This research was commissioned to listen more closely, to understand more deeply, and to act more meaningfully. It reveals a complex ecosystem of informal businesses, many of them unregistered, under-resourced, and operating in saturated markets. Yet, they are also deeply embedded in their communities, driven by purpose, and
brimming with potential.

Report by Standard Bank