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South Africa: an economic profile
South Africa is one of the world’s few countries to split the role of capital between 3 cities. The official capital, Pretoria, enjoys a population of 1 million. Cape Town serves as the legislative capital with a population of 2.9 million whilst the judiciary is based in the smaller Bloemfontain with only 370,000 residents. The largest city, though, by far is Jonnasburg with 3.2 million people. The country’s total population is 49 million. It is a parliamentary democracy with powers split between President and Parliament. The present President is Jacob Zuma.
Economic background
South Africa had a GDP of USD 578.6 billion as of 2012 and a growth rate of 2.6% – a figure lower that during 1993-2007 when the economy grew for 62 consecutive quarters at a level of around 5% on average. It was hit badly by the crisis of 2008-2009, with growth slowing to around 3%. However, it is still regarded as one of the world’s most important emerging economies, and in 2011, it joined Russia, Brazil, China, and India to become known as the BRIC economies of emerging nations. It has an inflation rate of around 5%, but its unemployment rate is extremely high – around 25%. The government has poured a lot of money in infrastructure, and this combined with the sound legal framework makes it a trusted country for investment. Its top export partners are China, the USA, Japan, Germany and the UK, whilst it imports from the USA, China, Germany, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, and the UK.
Industrial Analysis
The country has a widely spread industrial base with income generated as follows: agriculture – 2.2%, mining – 10%, manufacturing – around 12.5 %, electricity and water – nearly 2.5%, construction – just under 4%, wholesale retail and motor trade – just over 16%, transport storage and communications – 9%, finance real estate and business services – over 21%, government services – 6.7%, and personal services – close to 6%.
Mining
South Africa is deemed to have the world’s 5th largest mining reserves valued at some USD 2.5 trillion. It has a long history of mineral and metal extraction. Deposits include: platinum, manganese, chromite ore, gold, diamonds, and vanadium.
Gold accounts for one third of the country's exports. The country is also the fourth largest diamond producer in the world. The mining sector generates half of the nation’s foreign exchange. Companies like Exxaro, De Beers, and Anglo American Corporation are recognised as having world class technical expertise. 42% of companies quoted on the Johannesburg stock exchange are mining related. The government is trying to develop downstream industries which add value to the raw material rather than just exporting the raw product. The industry has been suffering recently from a range of industrial relations problems with strikes hitting the gold fields.
Automotive industry
Multinationals from all over the world use South Africa to create components and assemble vehicles because of its low production costs and access to new markets. Companies with manufacturing bases in the Republic comprise BMW, GM, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes Benz, Renault, and Volkswagen.
The sector contributes 6% of GDP and 12% of manufacturing exports. 28,000 people are employed directly in the industry, with 61,000 being engaged in component construction. It is based in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. The Government implemented a plan – "Automotive Development and Production Plan" – aimed to expand production to 1.2 million vehicles by 2020.
Tourism
Tourism is recognised by the government as a key industrial sector. The wonderful natural resources of the country have been enhanced by strategic think as to how they can be used to build the economy. In 2009, it contributed 7.9% to GDP, and it currently supports one in twelve jobs in the economy. The sector was given a tremendous boost in 2010 when the country staged the football World Cup and attracted 8.1 million visitors. This grew to 8.3 million in 2011. No fragment of the tourism market has been neglected. Business tourism has been an expanding area with the country having over 1000 conference and exhibition centers. However, the country also promotes eco tourism, paleo tourism and sports and adventure tourism.
Electronics
Electronics together with transport and storage account for 10% of GDP. It is one of the swiftest growing areas of the economy mainly based around mobile telephony. Its telephone network is 99.9% digital which is the most developed in Africa. It is a world leader in prepayment and fraud prevention systems. Multinational companies with subsidiaries in South Africa include: IBM, Unisys, Microsoft, Intel, Dell, and Compaq.
In conclusion, most research reports see South Africa as an expanding economy with growth in a variety of sectors. It is moving away from reliance on mineral wealth by using the income produced from these industries to diversify its economic base. Multinational companies have not been slow to recognise it as a sound centre from which to develop the expanding African market for a range of products.
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South Africa Trade of Windows, French-windows, Frames, of Wood: Import, Export, Market Prospects
US$ 320.00
South Africa Trade of Windows, French-windows, Frames, of Wood: Import, Export, Market Prospects
January 2026
25 pages
Clicks Group Ltd - Company Profile and SWOT Analysis
US$ 175.00
Clicks Group Ltd - Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report SUMMARY Clicks Group Ltd - Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report, is a ... , Swaziland and Lesotho. Clicks Group is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa. SCOPE Detailed information on Clicks Group Ltd required for business and competitor ...
January 2026
37 pages
The Bidvest Group Ltd - Company Profile and SWOT Analysis
US$ 175.00
... management, aviation services and allied services. Bidvest is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa SCOPE Detailed information on The Bidvest Group Ltd required for business and competitor intelligence ...
January 2026
65 pages
Advertising in South Africa
US$ 350.00
... the industry's overall value. Advertising through social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram ... South Africa advertising market by value in 2018? What will be the size of the South Africa advertising market in 2023? What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the South Africa advertising ...
December 2025
46 pages
Media in South Africa
US$ 350.00
... by understanding the future growth prospects of the South Africa media market with five year forecasts REASONS TO BUY ... South Africa media market by value in 2017? What will be the size of the South Africa media market in 2022? What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the South Africa media ...
December 2025
44 pages
Publishing in South Africa
US$ 350.00
Publishing in South Africa SUMMARY Publishing in South Africa industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary ...
December 2025
40 pages
Seasonings, Dressings & Sauces in South Africa
US$ 350.00
... Singapore seasonings, dressings & sauces market by value in 2017? What will be the size of the Singapore seasonings, dressings & sauces market in 2022? What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the Singapore seasonings, dressings & sauces ...
December 2025
40 pages
Digital Advertising in South Africa
US$ 350.00
Digital Advertising in South Africa SUMMARY Digital Advertising in South Africa industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary ...
December 2025
42 pages
Broadcasting & Cable TV in South Africa
US$ 350.00
Broadcasting & Cable TV in South Africa industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market share, market size (value and volume 2019-24, and foreca...
December 2025
37 pages
Life Insurance & Pension in South Africa
US$ 350.00
Life Insurance & Pension in South Africa industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market size (value 2019-24, and forecast to 2029). The profile...
December 2025
38 pages
Automotive Aftermarket in South Africa
US$ 350.00
... prospects of the South Africa automotive aftermarket market with five ... South Africa automotive aftermarket market by value in 2017? What will be the size of the South Africa automotive aftermarket market in 2022? What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the South Africa automotive aftermarket ...
December 2025
44 pages
Oils & Fats in South Africa
US$ 350.00
Oils & Fats in South Africa industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market share, market size (value and volume 2019-24, and forecast to 2029)....
December 2025
34 pages
Tobacco & Tobacco Products in South Africa
US$ 350.00
Tobacco & Tobacco Products in South Africa industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market share, market size (value and volume 2019-24, and for...
December 2025
39 pages
Shoprite Holdings Ltd - Company Profile and SWOT Analysis
US$ 175.00
Shoprite Holdings Ltd - Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report SUMMARY Shoprite Holdings Ltd - Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report, is a ... . It is headquartered in Western Cape, South Africa. SCOPE Detailed information on Shoprite Holdings Ltd required for business and competitor intelligence needs ...
December 2025
39 pages
AVI Ltd - Company Profile and SWOT Analysis
US$ 175.00
AVI Limited - Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report SUMMARY AVI Limited - Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report, is a source ... operates in South Africa, Australia and countries in Europe. AVI is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. SCOPE Detailed information on AVI Limited required for ...
December 2025
31 pages
Polyoak Packaging Group (Pty) Ltd - Company Profile and SWOT Analysis
US$ 175.00
... on Polyoak Packaging Group (Pty) Ltd.'s business structure, strategy and prospects. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Polyoak Packaging Group (Pty) Ltd. (Polyoak Packaging) is a provider of rigid plastic packaging solutions based in South Africa. It primarily designs and manufactures plastic packaging products ...
December 2025
16 pages
WG Wearne Ltd - Company Profile and SWOT Analysis
US$ 175.00
WG Wearne Limited - Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report SUMMARY WG Wearne Limited - Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report, is a ... and Kwazulu-Natal provinces. Wearne is headquartered in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. SCOPE Detailed information on WG Wearne Limited required for business and ...
December 2025
17 pages
Woolworths Holdings Ltd - Company Profile and SWOT Analysis
US$ 175.00
Woolworths Holdings Limited - Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report SUMMARY Woolworths Holdings Limited - Strategy, SWOT and ... South Africa with presence in Australia, Asia and rest of Africa. WHL is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa. SCOPE Detailed information on Woolworths Holdings Limited ...
December 2025
39 pages
FirstRand Private Bank - Company Profile and SWOT Analysis
US$ 175.00
FirstRand Private Bank - Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report SUMMARY FirstRand Private Bank - Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report, is ... . FRPB is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. SCOPE Detailed information on FirstRand Private Bank required for business and competitor intelligence ...
December 2025
18 pages
Spirits in South Africa
US$ 350.00
... understanding the future growth prospects of the South Africa spirits market with five year forecasts by both value ... South Africa spirits market by value in 2017? What will be the size of the South Africa spirits market in 2022? What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the South Africa spirits ...
December 2025
39 pages
Generics in South Africa
US$ 350.00
... understanding the future growth prospects of the South Africa generics market with five year forecasts by both ... South Africa generics market by value in 2017? What will be the size of the South Africa generics market in 2022? What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the South Africa generics ...
December 2025
41 pages
Breakfast Cereals in South Africa
US$ 350.00
Breakfast Cereals in South Africa SUMMARY Breakfast Cereals in South Africa industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary ...
December 2025
40 pages
