South Africa Building Permits Rebound Slightly

The value of building plans approved in South Africa slipped by 11.2% year-on-year to ZAR 7394 million in February 2026, following an upwardly revised 1.2% rise in the prior month. Steep declines in permits for non-residential buildings (-43.6% vs 27.7% in January) and additions & alterations (-6.1% vs -15.5%) more than offset the increase in residential ones (8.4% vs 1%).

The value of building plans approved in South Africa rose by 0.2% year-on-year to ZAR 6275 million in January 2026, following a 14.3% decline in the prior month. Permits rebounded for non-residential buildings (27.7% vs -46% in December), but decreased for additions and alterations (-15.5% vs -12.5%) and residential projects (-1.1% vs 3.7%).

The value of building plans approved in South Africa slipped by 14.3% year-on-year to ZAR 6002 million in December 2025, marking the steepest decline since April 2025, after a revised 5.7% rise in November. Decreases were seen in permits for non-residential buildings (-46%) and additions & alterations (-12.4%), contrasting with a 3.7% increase for residential buildings. In 2025, the value of plans passed dropped by 2.6% to approximately 99066 million.