The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Economic Development (DED) has welcomed the launch of the National Red Tape Reduction and Ease of Doing Business Campaign, spearheaded by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), and the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA).
The campaign was officially launched at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in Sandton on Monday and seeks to reduce administrative and regulatory barriers that constrain Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and aspiring entrepreneurs across South Africa.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to create a more enabling business environment, improve regulatory efficiency, stimulate investment, and unlock opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation.
Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni, emphasised that the campaign is not about deregulation, but about ensuring that regulations work for people and businesses.
“Regulation should never become an unnecessary barrier to opportunity. Our objective is not to promote deregulation, but to ensure that regulations enable entrepreneurs to participate meaningfully in the economy, protect consumers, promote fair competition and strengthen confidence in our economic system,” said Ndabeni.
The Minister further called for greater participation by entrepreneurs and communities in shaping policy reforms and municipal by-laws, stressing that reducing red tape requires collective accountability across all spheres of government and society.
DED’s Amukelani Kubayi said the initiative would significantly strengthen Johannesburg’s investment proposition.
“The important element investors look for when making an investment decision is ease of doing business. The Red Tape Reduction and Ease of Doing Business Campaign will enhance South Africa’s competitiveness globally and will contribute to increased investment in South Africa and the City of Johannesburg,” she said.
Kubayi said the campaign is a huge milestone that will help support township economies by creating a conducive environment for SMMEs, including those operating in townships, to grow and make a meaningful contribution to our economy.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange reaffirmed its commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises as key drivers of economic growth.
Chief Executive Officer of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Valdene Reddy, said reducing unnecessary barriers would unlock entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development.
“Entrepreneurs should be spending their time building businesses and creating jobs rather than navigating unnecessary complexity. Better regulation improves productivity when it is efficient, proportionate and enables businesses to thrive while maintaining high standards of governance, transparency and investor protection,” said Reddy.
She added that SMEs remain central to South Africa’s growth ambitions, contributing significantly to employment creation, innovation, productivity and long-term economic resilience.
The President of South African Local Government Association, Bheke Stofile, welcomed the campaign and underscored the critical role of municipalities in creating an enabling environment for local entrepreneurs.
“Ending red tape is critical because it will help unlock the value of investment in our communities. Government must operate as a single, coordinated unit, ensuring that entrepreneurs spend less time moving from one office to another and more time growing their businesses. Local government stands ready to work with all stakeholders to create one-stop centres that simplify access to services and opportunities,” said Stofile.
He further highlighted the importance of safeguarding township and community-based enterprises while ensuring that larger market players do not undermine opportunities intended for emerging entrepreneurs.
COJ believes that reducing bureaucratic barriers will accelerate economic participation, particularly within township economies, and strengthen the city’s position as Africa’s leading investment destination.
The campaign aligns with ongoing efforts by the Department of Economic Development to support SMMEs through investment promotion, enterprise development, regulatory reform and the creation of inclusive economic opportunities.
Through collaboration between national, provincial, and local government, as well as organised business and financial institutions, the initiative seeks to establish measurable targets and accountability mechanisms to ensure that progress in reducing red tape translates into tangible improvements for entrepreneurs and investors alike.
SUPPLIED.
