Supporting a conducive business environment by actively tracking policy reform through to effective outcomes.

Our Methodology

What is the BLSA Tracker?

BLSA Tracker Rev CounterBLSA Tracker monitors the policy reforms designed to improve efficiencies within the state and the economy, from conception through to execution. Click through on any reform area below to track progress and deliverables, with blockages identified and successes highlighted, including an assessment of what needs to be done to drive progress. The rev counter is a measure of the progress in each reform area. This tool is designed to keep the country informed and assist business in advocating for government to address priority areas. The Tracker assesses reforms that are positive for the business environment, across criminal justice, governance and economic categories. These are key to unlocking economic growth in the country. BLSA will produce a report on a quarterly basis covering the latest developments.

How to navigate the BLSA Tracker?

The website has been designed to provide easy access so that users can access the latest information by clicking on any of the more than 230 deliverables, starting with the top level categories below. The heat map is a visual tool designed to help you quickly and easily understand the status of various policy initiatives. What you are looking at:
  • Policy initiatives grid: The heat map displays a grid of boxes, each representing a specific policy initiative or reform area.
  • Colour indicators: Each box is colour-coded (green, amber, or red) to indicate the current status of the corresponding policy initiative.
  • Added:  
    • Green boxes indicate that the policy initiative is largely on track.
    • Amber shows that the policy development has started and is moving forward, but there are blockages and challenges that need to be addressed.
    • Red signifies significant blockages in the policy development process. Critical issues or obstacles are preventing progress and need immediate attention.
Labels and descriptions: Each box is labelled with the name of the policy initiative, providing a quick reference to its subject. How to interact with the heat map:
  • Hover over boxes: Moving your cursor over any box will display a brief description of the policy and its current status. This enables you to understand the nature of each initiative and its progress quickly.
  • Click for more details: Clicking on any box will open a detailed view with comprehensive information about the policy initiative. This includes the full description, current status, key milestones, challenges and any actions being taken to address them.
By understanding the colour-coded heat map, you can quickly assess the status of SA's policy initiatives, identify areas that are on track and recognise those needing attention.

Explore Reform Progress by Category:

Criminal Justice Policy Initiatives 2025 - 2026

Deliverable view shows the individual deliverables within a reform area, showing their current status and progress toward implementation.

Reform view groups deliverables to show the overall progress of the broader reform areas the deliverables contribute to.

Anti state capture and corruption commissionEnhanced whistleblowing protectionEstablish Standing Appointment and Oversight Committee (Zondo)National Anti-Corruption CharterNew deferred prosecution agreement provisionsNew statutory offence to abuse public officePrevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA) reform to strengthen obligation on private sector to prevent corruptionModernising court technology and improving judicial efficiency.Changing law.Action taken against unlicensed entitiesImprove risk-based categorisation and supervisionImprove risk-based categorisation and supervisionSAPS demonstrates increase in requesting informationAddressing deficiencies in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating terrorist financing (CFT).General Laws (anti-money laundering and combating terrorism financing -AML/CFT) Amendment ActProtection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Actives Amendment ActFATF Grey Listing RemediationProactive responseInstitutional framework for sanctionsLegal framework for sanctionsCounter terrorism financing strategy planTerrorism financing risk assessment update - Non-profit Organisations (NPOs)Terrorism financing risk assessment update – non-profit organisations (NPOs)Bank compliance review (per Zondo recommendation)Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Amendment BillJudicial Matters Amendment Bill (2023)Criminal Procedure BillExtradition BillNational Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment BillPrivate sector skills transferGeneral Intelligence Laws Amendment BillJudicial full independence/judicial autonomyAI deployment
Policy initiative is largely on track.
Policy development has started and is moving forward, but there are blockages.
Signifies significant blockages in the policy development process.
View All Criminal Justice

Governance Policy Initiatives2025 - 2026

Deliverable view shows the individual deliverables within a reform area, showing their current status and progress toward implementation.

Reform view groups deliverables to show the overall progress of the broader reform areas the deliverables contribute to.

Introduce e-voting graduallyUpdate the White Paper on Local Government to reflect a fit-for-purpose local government system.Review and amend the Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA).Review the local government fiscal framework to enhance equity and service delivery.Implement the trading services reform programme to create professionally managed utilities in all metros.Separate the functions of authority and service provider for water and electricity services in municipalities.Extend oversight of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to local government.Undertake an audit of municipal managers and CFOs to assess compliance with standards.Amendments to Companies ActContracts publicly availableContracts writtenPerformance reviews publishedPerformance reviews undertakenLifestyle auditsEstablish standing appointment and oversight committee (Zondo).Presidency oversight committee (Zondo)End to cadre deployment (practice)Establish director-general in the Presidency as Head of Public Administration.Public Administration Management Amendment BillPublic Service Amendment BillAppointment of a board of a Distribution CompanyAppointment of Genco BoardAppointment of NTCSA BoardEskom conditionalityNew framework including reform conditionalityTransnet guarantee conditionalityAppointment of TNPA BoardProper Chinese walling of Infrastructure Manager in TFRPublication of Shareholder CompactsIndependent SOE director and CEO appointment processesPSEC made independentRemoval of ANC deployment committeePublic Procurement ActCombination of departmentsReduced number of deputy ministersReduction in size of cabinet (ministers)
Policy initiative is largely on track.
Policy development has started and is moving forward, but there are blockages.
Signifies significant blockages in the policy development process.
View All Governance

Economic Policy Initiatives2025 - 2026

Deliverable view shows the individual deliverables within a reform area, showing their current status and progress toward implementation.

Reform view groups deliverables to show the overall progress of the broader reform areas the deliverables contribute to.

Clear existing backlog of title deeds for subsidised housingIncrease the small estates thresholdResolve outstanding planning approvals for housing projectsClarify, simplify and streamline regulations and procedures for the release of public landConduct an audit of under-utilised public properties in metros and secondary citiesIdentify and release nationally-owned land and properties to housing developers for affordable housingComplete the rolling stock modernisation programmeDevelop a roadmap for passenger rail including a strategy to manage devolution to capable local and regional authoritiesReturn passenger rail corridors and stations to serviceReview and adjust regulations to remove barriers to low-cost housing developmentIntroduce a demand-side rental subsidy for affordable housingRedesign the First Home Finance subsidy to increase uptakeClimate Change Climate Change Bill enactedUpdated NDCsEstablish a zero-rated platform for access to government information.Establish a zero-rated platform for access to government services through multiple channels.Digital infrastructure roadmapEstablish an Inter-Departmental Working Group (IDWG)Digital transformation: Enable bulk data access to research; monitor and improve service deliveryEnable real time data access through a data exchange for key administrative databases.Establish universal biometric enrolment & introduce a foundational digital ID systemEstablish a payment bridge and switch to enable seamless transactions with government.Introduce payment standards and interoperability through Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS).Gas electricity (floating) projectsEnabling municipalities to procure excess electricity from householdsEskom land use programmeIncrease in planned Eskom maintenancePathway to stabilisationPathway to stabilising power supply and achieve higher Eskom EAFVGBE report recommendations implemented by EskomBattery storage BW1Battery storage BW2Battery storage BW3Gas BW1 (site agonistic)Gas BW1.5 (Richards Bay, Phakwe)Mozambique electricity importsREIPPPP BW7REIPPPP BW5REIPPPP BW6Gas electricity capacity BW2Integrated Resource Plan 2024New coal-fired electricity BW1New coal-fired electricity BW2Nuclear electricity plant BWREIPPPP BW8Additional renewable energy development zonesDFFE EIA permitting regime changeEnergy Security BillERA Bill/ActRaising cap on self-generation to 100MW thresholdRemoval of 100MW thresholdEskom Distribution company unbundlingEskom Generation company unbundling“Real” wheeling protocolsStandard Offer to acquire electricity programmeVirtual wheeling protocolsEnergy one stop shopEnvironmental permit timelineLand use authorisation timelineNersa registration timelineMunicipality Eskom debt workout strategyCurtailment protocolEstablishing the Independent Transmission Project (ITP) procurement officeFull unbundling of NTCSAIndependent Transmission Project (ITP) funding modelInterim Grid Capacity Allocation Rules (IGCAR)Removal of NTCSA upstream guarantee ('Lazard Structure')Include AI governance principles in the Joint Standard on Culture and Governance with a financial sector focus.SARB empowered to manage systematically important financial institutions (SIFIs) failures.Capital flows management framework review; fostering business growth, promoting investment in the region, promoting tradeCapital flows management framework review; fostering business growth, promoting investment in the region, promoting trade; fostering business growth, promoting investment in the region, promoting tradeTransitioning cash market products (loans, bonds, money market instruments) from JIBAR to ZARONIA by defining a fallback methodology: compounded ZARONIA + credit adjustment spread (CAS).Mandatory task force on climate-rated financial disclosures (TCFD)-aligned reporting.Enact COFI Bill to harmonise market regulationImproving credit information and reporting through national credit bureau and data-sharing reforms.Comprehensive upgrade and rollout of South Africa’s digital identity verification system. Verification for both public and private sector services, including banks, insurers and telcos.National Treasury and Stats SA are implementing new data collection protocols, digital platforms and legislative reforms to modernise the national statistics systemNew requirements for cybersecurity resilience, eg, all financial institutions to adopt robust cybersecurity, risk management and incident response frameworks.Corporation for Deposit Insurance (CODI) - Provision for protection in event of bank failure in March 2023, Provisions for collecting premiums effective from 1 April 204Deepening financial inclusion for individuals - NT to implement strategy in 2024Improved access for SMEs, diversification, innovation, competitivenessCrypto asset policy.Supporting SMEs through payments innovationTokenisation (aka Blockchain).Regulation of fintech, crypto assets and digital payment providers.Modernise forex system for trade and investment to align with OECD code of liberalisation.Comprehensive review and overhaul of the regulatory framework for the distribution of funeral insurance.Restructuring the Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account to manage forex reserves and reduce government borrowing.Develop a national green finance classification system.Implementation of the Basel III revised leverage ratio, including an updated exposure definition to better capture both on- and off-balance sheet risks.Extension of market abuse rules to new asset classes as part of market integrity reforms.New standards for exchanges and market infrastructures with the draft expanded in 2024.New reporting requirements and supervision.Consolidation of four ombuds offices into a single redress system.Real-time low-cost payment platform (SARB project Khokha) with the potential to boost financial inclusion.Implementation of regulatory reporting requirements for margin on non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives, using the Umoja platform to submit returnsStrengthening governance and investment oversight in pension funds through new standards and proactive supervision.Risk-based supervision and capital adequacy reforms through enhanced monitoring, stress testing and reporting.Two-pot system/early access to retirement fundsUnclaimed assets - Recommendations published by FSCA published in 2022 - stakeholder feedback/response expected in 2024Unclaimed assets.Replacement of all previous operational risk capital approaches (advanced measurement approach and three standardised approaches) with a single, risk-sensitive standardised approach for all banks.Implementation of Basel III reforms to enhance risk sensitivity, granularity and consistency in credit risk calculations.Strengthening liquidity support for banks through enhanced assessment and support mechanismsMove to new benchmark rate for money markets by phasing out JIBAR benchmark rate.Establish the private sector participation( PSP) unitIdentify and pursue appropriate PSP models for the rail networkDevelop the Rail BillEstablish Interim Rail Economic Regulatory Capacity (IRERC)Establish Transport Economic RegulatorNational passenger rail policyNational Rail BillNational Rail Master Plan - network rightsizingRemove quasi regulatory function from Transnet entities (eg, TNPA) (eg TNPA)DoT private sector participation unitFinalise the access pricing methodologyFinalise the Network Statement and open requests for accessPort concessioning - DurbanPort concessioning - otherRail Network StatementRoad to rail strategyThird party rail access/3PRA (round 2)Devolution of Commuter Rail StrategyEstablish independent infrastructure managerEstablish interim infrastructure managerTNPA corporatisation.Corridor recovery teamsFreight logistics roadmapNew TFR scheduling systemPathway to 193MTSAPS RailTFR OEM partnerships for locomotivesTransnet board's recovery planLabour Test UpdatedProduction - BoegoebaaiNational Petroleum Company Bill (aka Eskom 2.0)UPRDBGas Utilisation Masterplan (GUMP)Integrated Energy Plan (IEP)Digitalisation processRed tape reduction unit workNew cadastral systemActual devolutionAnalogue switch offSpectrum auctionExpanded list of countriesClear the backlog of visa applications and reduce processing timesImplement the points-based system for the skilled work visa.Regularise critical skills list updatesImplement a fully automated Electronic Travel Authoriation (ETA) systemImplement e-Gates at major ports of entryNew visa categoriesProcess stream liningRemoval of red tapeTrusted employer schemeDevelop a National Water Action PlanLicensing and productionWater hydropower licensingStrengthen intervention in municipalities that fail to meet minimum norms and standards for water service delivery.Blue Drop / Green Drop publicationMunicipal intervention strategyEstablish a coordination structure to oversee implementation of the National Water Action PlanPolicy document and implementationPermanent strategy implementedAmend the Water Services Act to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.Establish an independent water regulator to strengthen oversight of water servicesNational Water Resources Infrastructure Agency ActWater Partnerships OfficeConsistent 90-day turnaround
Policy initiative is largely on track.
Policy development has started and is moving forward, but there are blockages.
Signifies significant blockages in the policy development process.
View All Economic