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We recently hosted a full-day conference on 6 May 2025 in Johannesburg, exploring the broad sweep of South Africa’s economic landscape. The discussions included an update on the domestic economic outlook, an analysis of political-economy risks related to the Government of National Unity (GNU), and an examination of the Trump administration’s intentions toward South Africa. The second half of the programme, featured a deep dive into phase two of Operation Vulindlela. We examined the progress being made with municipal and water reforms and showcased some of the latest research in this field. An exciting lineup of speakers listed below addressed various topical issues. BER Clients can download the presentations available.
RESEARCH NOTE: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that South Africa adopt fiscal rules, and the National Treasury has committed to a process of consultations on fiscal rules, and to release a discussion by the end of March 2025. This research note explores what fiscal rules are and whether they could improve South Africa’s fiscal sustainability and fiscal credibility. It highlights guiding principles and considerations for fiscal rule design and outlines a possible fiscal rule to initially stabilise debt followed by a debt reduction phase.
21.47/litre
20.68/litre
3.3% y-o-y
1.5%
0.6% y-o-y
10.50 %
1.6% y-o-y
-0.7% y-o-y
BER Weekly Review (Free) | 12 September
The FNB/BER Building Confidence Index registered a level of 35 in 2025Q3, from 36 in 2025Q2. This marks the third consecutive decline in building sentiment. Moreover, the index has been moving within a narrow – albeit low – band since the middle of last year. This means that, while sentiment in the industry isn’t tanking, there is little lifting the business mood across the building value chain
According to the latest Absa Manufacturing Survey, business confidence in the factory sector declined sharply by ten points to 23 in 2025Q3. This follows a two-point decline in 2025Q1 and a one-point drop in Q2, suggesting that the pressure we saw in the sector in the first half of 2025 intensified in the third quarter. While there has been an improvement in the underlying activity and sales indicators, the recovery is not strong enough.
The release calendar will be updated each quarter. Please note that these dates may change.
Wednesday
3 September 2025
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI)
Wednesday
10 September 2025
FNB/BER Building Confidence Index
Tuesday
16 September 2025
Absa Manufacturing Survey
Thursday
25 September 2025
FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
Tuesday
23 September 2025
Other Services Survey
Monday
22 September 2025
Retail Survey
Tuesday
30 September 2025
FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index
Monday
15 September 2025
Inflation Expectations Survey
Thursday
2 October 2025
Building Cost Report (BCIS)
The first working day of each month
Absa PMI
The first working day of each month
Update
The first week of each month
Trends
Every Friday (Enhanced and Free versions)
BER Weekly
The BER Economist Internship Programme provides practical training to appropriately qualified previously disadvantaged individuals. The programme equips trainees to function as economists in the private and/or the public sector.
