BBBEE explained - how does it work? How can I benefit?

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Page written by Clayton Van Wyk. Last reviewed on October 24, 2024. Next review due March 1, 2025.

If your SME is looking to do business with the government or larger South African organisations, certification under the BBBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) act is an important step to remove barriers to trade.

Here we’ll take a deep dive into the act to understand why BBBEE certification was set up, the different levels of accreditation, and practical steps in applying for/renewing your BBBEE certificate.

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What is BBBEE?

The BBBEE Act, or Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, is a South African law that aims to fix the unfair economic situation left behind by apartheid. It does this by encouraging companies to include more Black people in ownership, management, skills development, and other areas of their business. With the persistence of racial inequality through South African society, BBBEE is a step towards a fairer economy for all.

How does it work?

BBBEE certificates are awarded to businesses based on how well they include Black people throughout the organisation. Companies get points for things like Black ownership, hiring Black managers, training Black employees, and buying from Black-owned businesses. The more points you get, the better your “grade” and the more benefits you’ll get. These benefits include things such as easier access to government contracts.

Why was BBBEE introduced?

Apartheid left deep economic inequalities through society and BBBEE has been an important act to address this issue.

Under apartheid, Black South Africans were denied equal opportunities and wealth creation. They were excluded from owning businesses, holding high-paying jobs, and accessing quality education and training. This created a huge economic gap between Black and White citizens with long-term consequences.

BBBEE aims to bridge this gap by promoting the inclusion of Black people in the economy. It encourages companies to share ownership, invest in skills development, and create opportunities for Black South Africans in various aspects of their businesses.

BBBEE is an important form of affirmative action to level the playing field and help Black communities build wealth and participate meaningfully in the economy. This is achieved by creating more job opportunities and skills development for Black South Africans.

The ultimate aim is for BBBEE to contribute to overall social development of Black South Africans and reduce systemic poverty.

How does it benefit Black-owned businesses?

BBBEE encourages larger companies to prioritise Black-owned businesses as suppliers and partners, giving them a chance to compete and secure valuable contracts. This boosts their sales and growth, allowing them to hire more employees and contribute more to the economy.

BBBEE also unlocks funding opportunities such as business grants as well as skills development programs, helping Black businesses become more competitive and sustainable and creating a vital levelling-up opportunity for Black-owned businesses to thrive in the South African market.

Who qualifies as Black for BBBEE?

In the context of BBBEE, the definition of “Black” has a specific legal meaning that encompasses the following groups:

Africans: Individuals of African descent who are South African citizens by birth or descent.
Coloureds: A historically defined and diverse group in South Africa, typically including individuals with mixed ancestry that wouldn’t be classified as African or White.
Indians: Since 2008, South African citizens of Indian descent are also considered “Black” for BBBEE purposes, following a court ruling.

IMPORTANT: Only South African citizens qualify, regardless of their background. Foreign nationals and South Africans who acquired citizenship after April 27, 1994, don’t fall under this definition.

Do Indians qualify?

South African citizens of Indian descent are considered “Black” for BBBEE purposes.

BBEEE vs BEE - is there a difference?

No, there’s no difference. You may see “BEE” used in a similar context to “BBEEE”. BEE stands for “Black Economic Empowerment” and BBBEE is the government’s implementation of the BEE policy. The two terms can be used interchangeably.

Is BBEEE certification compulsory?

BBEEE certification is compulsory under the following circumstances:

JSE-listed entities: Publicly traded companies must submit annual compliance reports on their BBEEE status and undergo verification by a SANAS-accredited agency.
For entities doing business with the government, a valid BBEEE certificate is often mandatory.

While there are some exemptions (see below), businesses should consider their specific business context and consult with legal professionals or official BBEEE resources for tailored advice on certification requirements.

Who is exempt from needed certification?

Certain organisations are exempt from BBBEE certification:

Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME): Businesses with an annual turnover below R10 million can use a sworn affidavit instead of formal certification.
Non-profit organisations are generally exempt from mandatory BBEEE requirements.
Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE): Businesses with a turnover between R10 million and R50 million have simplified BBBEE measurement requirements.

Certification is still something you should consider, however, even if your business is firmly within these exemptions: Holding a good BBEEE rating opens doors to various opportunities, including access to financing, preferential procurement and partnerships with larger companies. And all businesses are encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to BBEEE principles and report their non-compliance reasons if they’re exempt.

Who issues certificates?

There is no central authority that issues BBBEE certificates; they can be obtained through an accredited verification professional who will ensure that your company’s BBBEE compliance accurately reflects the requirements outlined in the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.

There are two main routes for accreditation:

South African National Accreditation Systems (SANAS): This is the government-appointed accreditation body for various professions, including BBBEE verification. Verification professionals accredited by SANAS are recognised for their expertise and adherence to international standards.
Independent Regulatory Body of Auditors (IRBA): This body primarily regulates auditors and registered accountants, but also offers accreditation for BBBEE verification as an additional service.

It’s important to note that:

Only accredited verification professionals can issue valid BBBEE certificates; unverified individuals could jeopardise your compliance and lead to penalties.
The choice of a verification professional depends on your company’s needs and preferences. Factors to consider include their experience, expertise in your specific industry, and fees.
You can find a list of accredited verification professionals on the websites of SANAS and IRBA.

BBBEE levels explained

Points are awarded for your company’s performance across five key elements (ownership, management, skills development, enterprise development, and socio-economic development). Your total score will put you in one of nine BBBEE levels:

Level	Points
1	100+
2	95-99
3	90-94
4	80-89
5	75-79
6	70-74
7	55-69
8	40-54
Non-compliant	<40

Businesses should strive for the higher levels as these indicate stronger BBBEE practices and more significant recognition benefits: Level 4 and above are considered fully BBBEE compliant for most tendering processes. The higher levels give greater access to government contracts and tenders, there is potential for preferential procurement from other companies and better access to funding and other development opportunities.

To learn more, consult the BBBEE Commission website.

The BBBEE scorecard and scoring criteria explained

The BBBEE scorecard evaluates a company’s performance across five key elements:

Ownership measures the level of ownership by Black people, including Black women, youth, and people with disabilities, within the company.
Management control assesses the representation of Black people in senior management positions and their decision-making power.
Skills development evaluates the company’s efforts to train and develop Black employees, especially in critical skills areas.
Enterprise and supplier development measures the company’s support for Black-owned businesses through procurement, joint ventures, and other initiatives.
Socio-economic development assesses the company’s contributions to broader societal issues like community development, education, and poverty alleviation.

Each element on the scorecard carries a specific weight, and companies earn points based on their documented achievements in each area. The weightings assigned to each element may vary depending on the industry and size of the company.

Evidence required: Companies need to provide documented evidence to support their claims for points in each element and accreditation agencies verify the company’s scorecard to ensure its accuracy and compliance.

Can a non-profit have BBBEE?

Non-profit organisations (NPOs) can participate in BBBEE in South Africa, but with some special considerations. Unlike most businesses, NPOs are generally exempt from mandatory BBBEE certification. This means they don’t have to get a formal certificate to operate. NPOs can choose to obtain a BBBEE status using a specialised affidavit instead of full verification.

For further information see:

Can a sole proprietor have BBBEE?

A sole proprietor can use a free BBBEE self-assessment affidavit if their turnover is below R10 million. Sole proprietors may also use an accredited verification agency like any other business.

Good to know: BBBEE ownership points only apply to formal businesses with multiple owners. As a sole proprietor, you can still earn points in other categories like skills development and socio-economic development.

BBBEE affidavits explained

A BBBEE affidavit is a simpler, cheaper alternative to full BBBEE certificates for small companies (turnover below R10 million) and certain qualifying small businesses (51%+ black owned, turnover R10-50 million).

A BBBEE affidavit is a sworn statement confirming black ownership & basic BBEEE compliance. Although they are an easy, cost-effective solution for small businesses, they are not accepted everywhere, are less detailed than full certification, and will be subject to verification.

Unsure of which way to go? Get in touch with Swoop for a no obligation chat on affidavits vs. certification.

How do I renew my BBBEE certificate?

There is no “renewal” process for BBBEE certificates in South Africa. Certificates remain valid for 12 months from the date of issue. After that, you need to apply for a new certificate following the standard application process.

How do I get a BBBEE certificate?

There are two main paths to securing a BBBEE certificate:

CIPC self-assessment (free option) is for businesses with turnover below R10 million (Exempted Micro Enterprises) or Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs) with specific conditions. Apply today. You will need to fill out an online affidavit, providing evidence for your BEE achievements.

Remember: This may not be accepted for all tenders or contracts, especially requiring high BBBEE levels.

Accredited verification agency is for any business size and is suitable for complex situations, higher turnover, or needing wider recognition. You will need to hire an accredited verification agency to collect detailed evidence, assess your BEE compliance against the scorecard, and prepare a report. There will be fees associated with agency services.

Get started with Swoop

Whichever route you take to apply, it will help if you gather all required documents beforehand (ownership details, financials, BEE initiatives).

Swoop can help your BBBEE certification process a breeze – speak with one of our experts today.

Written by

Clayton Van Wyk

Hailing from Cape Town, Clayton has a depth of experience in business finance, helping SMEs understand and acquire business funding. Clayton has worked for several leading funds and lenders in South Africa including Lulalend and Grove Group, as well as Funding Bay in the UK. Clayton is highly knowledgeable across the debt, equity, and grant funding landscape.

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