Cape Town: The Economic Growth Directorate of the City of Cape Town is inviting the public to comment from Monday, June 15, 2026 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, July 15, 2026.
Residents, entrepreneurs and business owners are encouraged to submit their comments to help in shaping how the City of Cape Town supports business growth. The previous version of the policy was approved in 2018 and has guided the City’s approach to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth – Alderman James Vos stated that the City’s priority is to ensure that they have a policy that speaks directly to the three fundamentals of enterprise development: by 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 them as the City of Cape Town to make sure the policies evolve to be relevant to the needs of the business sector, to help them and the local economy grow. As businesses need faster and more predictable processes, better digital service delivery, easier access to markets, with improved coordination across government services and the proposed updates to the policy that aims to do exactly that.
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
According to Vos, this policy sits at the centre of the City’s Business Hub initiative and is a key tool in the drive to make Cape Town the easiest place in Africa to do business. Last year, over 5800 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.
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 the growth. While national government carries responsibility for broader structural reforms. The City of Cape Town is focused on what sits within its control. They are cutting red tape, improving access to opportunities, investing in enabling infrastructure and ensuring that 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 in investing, scaling and creating jobs. That is the standard they are driving. Vos would like to acknowledge the role of the Economic Growth Portfolio Committee for helping them to steer the policy process to this important stage and he is looking forward to see input from Capetonians.