What are the challenges?

Challenges when doing business in South Africa

Although South Africa is a well-developed and promising market, there are some challenges when doing business there. These include:

• high unemployment
• poverty and inequality
• skills and capacity shortages
• infrastructure improvements needed for energy, transport and water
• high crime rate
• Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) legislation (http://www.dti.gov.za/ economic_empowerment/bee.jsp)

To mitigate these challenges, you are advised to appoint and work with competent local partners and seek the assistance of experienced commercial lawyers. 

You should also ensure you take the necessary steps to comply with the requirements of the UK Bribery Act (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bribery-act-2010-guidance).

Read the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Overseas Business Risk report for South Africa, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-south-africa/overseas-
business-risk-south-africa.