Have your say – help shape how the City supports businesses

The City’s Economic Growth Directorate is inviting the public to comment from today, Monday, 15 June, on the draft updates to the Business Support Policy. It aims to strengthen local government mechanisms that boost entrepreneurs, start-ups, exporters and enterprises to drive investment, create jobs and grow Cape Town’s economy. Deadline for public comment is Wednesday, 15 July 2026. Read more below:

Residents, entrepreneurs and business owners are encouraged to submit their comments to help shape how the City supports business growth.

The previous version of the policy was approved in 2018 and has guided the City’s approach to supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs.

‘The City’s priority is to ensure we have a policy that speaks directly to the three fundamentals of enterprise development: setting up shop, scaling production, and getting market access for your products and service.

‘The business environment has changed significantly since 2018 so it’s important for us as the City of Cape Town to make sure our policies evolve to be relevant to the needs of the business sector, to help them and our local economy grow. Businesses need faster and more predictable processes, better digital service delivery, easier access to markets, and improved coordination across government services and the proposed updates to the policy aim to do exactly that,’ said Alderman James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.

Key improvements proposed in the updated policy include:

• More effective business-facing services
• Improved digital access to City support and processes
• Expanded business advisory levers
• Improved support to access procurement opportunities
• Stronger support for inclusive spatial economic growth
• Aligning workforce and skills development with business needs
• Improved coordination across the City and its partners

‘This policy sits at the centre of the City’s Business Hub initiative and is a key tool in our drive to make Cape Town the easiest place in Africa to do business. Last year, more than 5 800 businesses participated in programmes delivered through the Hub, including procurement readiness, supplier development, tender training, pricing and marketing support, export readiness and market access. This is practical support that is already helping businesses grow, and this policy will strengthen and expand that impact,’ said Alderman Vos.

This policy is separate from the Informal Trading Policy, which is being reviewed through a different process and relates specifically to the informal trading environment. The Business Support Policy focuses on formal businesses, SMEs, exporters and entrepreneurs operating in the formal economy, and how the City enables them to grow, compete and scale.

‘Small businesses are the engine room of this economy. Every growing enterprise and every successful entrepreneur translates directly into jobs, investment and opportunity for Capetonians.

‘Too many businesses still face unnecessary barriers that slow growth. While national government carries responsibility for broader structural reforms, the City is focused on what sits within its control. We are cutting red tape, improving access to opportunities, investing in enabling infrastructure and ensuring government works optimally with business.

‘This policy is about outcomes, not intention. It is about ensuring businesses spend less time navigating bureaucracy and more time investing, scaling and creating jobs. That is the standard we are driving. I would like to acknowledge the role of the Economic Growth Portfolio Committee for helping to steer the policy process to this important stage and I look forward to seeing input from Capetonians,’ said Alderman Vos.

Public participation

Comment on the draft updates to the Business Support Policy from Monday, 15 June to Wednesday, 15 July 2026.

• Online: Have your say (capetown.gov.za)
• Email: Bu**************@**********ov.za
• Deliver your written comments to the address below:

For attention: Alan and Sheldon, Business Hub, 34A Adderley Street, Strand Concourse, Cape Town

• Call: 021 417 4043 between 08:00 and 16:30 on weekdays to submit your verbal comments.