South Africa Business Sentiment Up to 4-Month High: SACCI

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) business confidence index rose to 125.4 in July 2026, the highest reading since March, up from 123.5 in June. Higher new vehicle sales, stronger merchandise export volumes and lower energy prices supported the improvement, while higher inflation and lower precious metal prices weighed on business confidence. Sacci added that the number of foreign travellers to South Africa remained a positive factor despite short-term instability linked to the Middle East conflict. “The continuing war in the Middle East and its destabilizing effect on the crude oil price as well as its impact on the supply of fuel are weighing on global economic prospects,” the chamber noted.

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) business confidence index rose to 124.1 in May 2026 from a seven-month low of 123.6 in the prior month. The improvement was attributed to higher new vehicle sales and stronger merchandise exports, with imports contributing to a lesser extent, as companies tried to adjust to the oil price shock from the Middle East conflict. Conversely, the chamber noted that a decline in overseas tourist arrivals had a substantial negative impact on the index, while rising inflation remained a concern for businesses.

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) business confidence index fell to 131.3 in March 2026, the lowest since last October, from 134.6 in the prior month, largely reflecting external pressures linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. SACCI noted businesses were particularly concerned about weaker foreign merchandise trade volumes and higher energy costs. A weaker and more volatile rand, lower JSE share prices, falling precious metal prices and reduced foreign trade volumes weighed on sentiment, partly offset by lower inflation, a steady improvement in new vehicle sales and increased tourist arrivals over the festive season. Meanwhile, the Chamber said the first quarter average for 2026 reached 132.4, compared to 123.1 in the same period last year, signaling an overall improvement in business sentiment over the longer term.