Business Leadership South Africa's Reform Tracker completion index climbed to 72.5 in the July to September 2026 quarter, up from 71.3 and 28.4% above the March 2024 baseline, marking the highest score since monitoring began. Electricity reforms rose from 67.8 to 69.4, helped by the R2 billion curtailment payment clearance, a larger renewable procurement bid window and progress on Eskom's transmission unbundling. Freight logistics rose from 69.6 to 72.5 after Transnet's Network Statement Version 4 and Rail Access Agreement were gazetted on 18 September. Governance declined for the first time, from 55.0 to 54.6, after the Constitutional Court struck down the Public Procurement Act.
According to www.greenbuildingafrica.co.za, Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has recorded its highest Reform Tracker score since monitoring began, with the completion index reaching 72.5 in the July to September 2026 quarter — up from 71.3 and 28.4% above the March 2024 baseline.
The reading marks the fifth quarterly review published by the business lobby group. Quarter-on-quarter momentum turned positive again, moving from minus 0.4% to plus 1.7%, the strongest reading since the September to December 2025 period.
The tracker scores reform deliverables across economic, criminal justice and governance categories. Of the 181 deliverables assessed this quarter, 179 could be compared like for like with the previous quarter. Of those, 40 changed score, with 33 improving and 7 declining.
Electricity reforms lift energy score
The electricity reform area was the main point of interest in the energy sector, rising from 67.8 to 69.4. The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme bid window 8 climbed strongly after government turned it into a mega bid window.
The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) cleared its R2 billion backlog in curtailment payments to independent power producers on 31 August, as promised, lifting the curtailment protocol score from 75 to 81.25.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also endorsed the Eskom restructuring task team’s phase 1 report on separating transmission from Eskom, which lifted the full NTCSA unbundling score from 75 to 77.5. The municipal debt workout strategy was escalated to the task team, moving from 62.5 to 65, with municipal debt to Eskom now above R119 billion.
Not every electricity deliverable moved forward. Virtual wheeling protocols fell 5 points to 76.25, their second consecutive decline, as trading rules were delayed again, now to the end of October. The request for proposals for the Independent Transmission Project, originally due in the third quarter of 2026, is now expected in the second quarter of 2027.
Freight logistics gains on rail and port progress
Freight logistics rose from 69.6 to 72.5. The Department of Transport gazetted Transnet’s final Network Statement Version 4 and Rail Access Agreement on 18 September, lifting that deliverable from 62.5 to 87.5.
The statement allows cargo owners, and not only licensed train operators, to secure rail capacity directly. Port concessioning improved from 75 to 80, while Transnet National Ports Authority corporatisation rose from 62.5 to 70 after Cabinet supported its separation on 23 September.
The independent infrastructure manager deliverable fell from 62.5 to 56.25, as the structure remains an interim one and the National Rail Bill has not yet been tabled.
Financial and justice reforms edge higher
In the financial sector, reforms rose from 88.1 to 89.5, with six deliverables improving. These included the draft Crypto Assets Manual, progress on the JIBAR conversion, the South African Reserve Bank taking over the payment role of the Payments Association of South Africa, and a new Financial Sector Conduct Authority standard.
Criminal justice edged up from 84.2 to 84.5, with only the Criminal Procedure Bill moving, from 50 to 55, after discussion papers on the legislation were published. The corruption reform area was unchanged at 51.2.
BLSA is concerned that South Africa is now undergoing a new mutual evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), following the country’s removal from the grey list in October 2025. Ismail Momoniat, who led the campaign for removal, sees a significant risk of a return to the grey list.
Governance slips as procurement law struck down
Governance declined for the first time, from 55.0 to 54.6, after the Constitutional Court declared the Public Procurement Act unconstitutional and invalid because Parliament had not facilitated meaningful public participation at the National Council of Provinces stage. The sound finances score fell from 87.5 to 50, and National Treasury must now table a new bill.
There was progress elsewhere. The Public Service Commission Act, signed on 15 September 2026, will extend the commission’s oversight to local government, lifting that deliverable from 62.5 to 75. The appointment of a director general in the Presidency as head of public administration lifted the Public Service Amendment Act deliverable from 62.5 to 75.
BLSA CEO Busisiwe Mavuso said she had been concerned in the previous quarter that more reforms were losing ground than making headway, and that it was heartening to see this reversed.
“It is heartening to see this reversed. Once these sectors work efficiently, they will provide the foundation for a strong and growing economy.” — Busisiwe Mavuso, CEO of Business Leadership South Africa
BLSA welcomed the rebound and said it looks forward to continued momentum across the reform agenda, from energy and transport to water systems and the municipalities that must deliver services. It said stronger foundations will allow the economy to grow and help the country address its urgent needs, particularly high unemployment.
Source: greenbuildingafrica.co.za
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
