South Africa in context
from story to data
You’ve seen the story — now see the data
The dashboards translate South Africa’s investment narrative into measurable performance — turning claims into benchmarks and comparisons into clarity.
Explore how South Africa measures up across finance, trade, energy, and innovation — against both African peers and leading emerging markets.
The data behind the story. These interactive dashboards use institutional sources — UN, World Bank, IMF, Afreximbank — to benchmark South Africa’s strengths and challenges across two perspectives:
Africa Wave — The Continental Story
Five dynamic modules reveal Africa’s growth surge and South Africa’s role as its gateway
Demographics | Capital Markets | Trade Corridors | Energy Transition | Talent & Innovation
See how South Africa anchors Africa’s urban maturity, financial depth, and renewable-energy leadership.
Africa’s
Demographic Wave
Africa’s demographic surge is unmatched. South Africa is smaller but more urban and mature — the gateway to Africa’s youth dividend.
Africa’s defining advantage is scale and youth.
By 2050, the continent will add 720 million workers, a quarter of global workforce growth.
It will remain the youngest region on earth, with 70 percent under 35. South Africa, smaller in size but more urban and mature, is the natural gateway into this demographic dividend.
South Africa as Capital & Markets Hub
South Africa’s markets are unrivalled — JSE at 246% GDP, bonds $300bn, banking depth 92%. A financial anchor unmatched in Africa.
Capital follows depth and liquidity, and South Africa offers both.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange stands at 246 percent of GDP, larger than many developed markets. A $300 billion bond market and banking depth of 92 percent of GDP give it a financial system of scale.
FDI inflows of $5–7 billion annually demonstrate resilience even amid global volatility.
Corridors of Growth
Trade & Diversification
South Africa is Africa’s trade hub — diversified flows, strong intra-African integration, and logistics corridors under reform.
Trade corridors connect Africa to the world, and South Africa is their hub.
Exports flow to Europe ($27.7bn), China ($12.4bn), the US ($8.2bn), the UK ($5.3bn), and SADC ($18.5bn).
Intra-African trade is 20 percent of South Africa’s total exports.
Transition & Trajectory
Energy & Reforms
South Africa’s transition is investable — minerals, finance, and reforms align to power a cleaner economy.
South Africa is financing Africa’s green transition.
Renewable capacity has grown from 2.5 GW in 2010 to 13 GW in 2024, on track for 15 GW in 2025. Coal’s share of electricity has fallen from 92 percent in 2010 to 74 percent in 2025. The Just Energy Transition Partnership pledged $12.8 billion, with disbursements already under way.
Mineral wealth underpins this: PGMs and manganese exports reached $25 billion in 2024. Reforms — Operation Vulindlela, port concessions, and NTCSA transmission upgrades — clear systemic bottlenecks.
Talent & Innovation
South Africa combines scale with skills — leading Africa in digital exports, innovation, and tertiary education.
Talent is South Africa’s long game.
Ranked 69th globally in innovation, it leads Sub-Saharan Africa. ICT service exports are $5.1bn, ahead of Nigeria ($1.5bn) and Kenya ($1bn). Tertiary enrolment is 22 percent vs a regional average of 9 percent, while broadband penetration reaches 79 percent — making South Africa digitally connected and skills-rich.
Its demographics are balanced: 59 percent under 35, offering stability with dynamism.
Logistics South Africa
Ports
South Africa is Africa’s trade hub — diversified flows, strong intra-African integration, and logistics corridors under reform.
Logistics reforms are driving recovery: Durban handled 2.8m containers, Cape Town 0.8m, with dwell times falling.
Comparative Radar Dashboards — The Global Story
Two interactive radars position South Africa within Africa and among global emerging markets.
They highlight the nation’s world-class market capitalisation, digital-export scale, and reform momentum.
Proof that South Africa combines developed market depth with emerging-market dynamism.
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Basic slide by Flourish Radar chart by Flourish team
The Comparative Story is Clear
South Africa leads Africa in finance, digital infrastructure, and renewable energy — and competes globally on depth, innovation, and reform velocity.
Among global emerging markets, South Africa is a competitive mid-field player. It lags Asia’s export giants but excels in capital market depth and creative exports. Its reform agenda (energy, logistics, AfCFTA) positions it as an economy on the rise – offering investors both stability and growth opportunity.
The data doesn’t gloss over challenges — it contextualises them. And the reforms now under way are clearing bottlenecks fast.