From township businesses and informal traders to tourism operators and young entrepreneurs, local economies depend on access to trading spaces, reliable infrastructure, investment and opportunities to earn a living.

The African National Congress (ANC) has placed local economic development and job creation among its priorities for the 2026–2031 municipal term, outlining plans to stimulate business activity, attract investment and expand economic opportunities in towns, townships and rural communities.

In its 2026 Local Government Manifesto, the ruling party proposes reducing barriers to doing business, revitalising neglected commercial areas and helping municipalities identify industries capable of driving local growth.

The party also acknowledges that inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, administrative delays, corruption and weak municipal capacity have prevented many communities from realising their economic potential.

 

Cutting red tape for small businesses

For many entrepreneurs, securing suitable premises, obtaining licences and accessing finance remain significant challenges.

The ANC proposes introducing more accessible municipal business services, reducing licensing backlogs and establishing clear turnaround times for building plans, rezoning and other approvals.

A single point of contact for investors and entrepreneurs would also be introduced to help businesses navigate municipal processes.

The liberation movement further wants municipalities to expand affordable trading spaces, markets and ready-to-use business premises to accommodate small enterprises, cooperatives, informal traders and home-based businesses.

Local Enterprise and Innovation Hubs would provide workspace, internet connectivity, shared business services, digital skills training and access to potential markets and funding opportunities.

The aim is to create an environment in which emerging businesses can establish themselves, grow and contribute to employment.

 

Reviving town centres and township economies

The ruling party identifies the revitalisation of central business districts, township business areas and commercial precincts as an important part of its economic development programme.

Proposed interventions include improving roads, lighting, cleanliness, public transport and safety while bringing unused municipal buildings and land back into productive use.

Municipalities would also be expected to identify priority industries and economic opportunities based on their local strengths.

These could include agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism, fisheries, digital services, creative industries and green technologies.

Under the ANC's proposals, each municipality would establish clear economic priorities and measurable annual targets through its Local Economic Development Plan.

The programme also seeks to use infrastructure grants, development finance and partnerships with businesses and non-profit organisations to attract investment and support job creation.

 

Tourism and creative industries offer growth potential

Tourism, heritage and cultural activities are also identified as important contributors to local economic development.

The ANC proposes improving tourism infrastructure, installing signage and maintaining heritage sites, museums and other places of cultural and historical significance.

Such investments could benefit accommodation establishments, restaurants, tour guides, transport operators, craftspeople, performers and other businesses that depend on visitors.

Partnerships with communities and traditional leadership would form part of efforts to promote local attractions and preserve cultural heritage.

Artists and creative entrepreneurs would also benefit from the proposed enterprise hubs, which are intended to improve access to workspace, digital resources, business support and markets.

The approach recognises the economic contribution of cultural activities beyond entertainment, particularly their potential to support local producers and create employment.

 

Work experience and digital access

Unemployment, particularly among young people, remains another challenge the party seeks to address.

The ANC plans to expand the Expanded Public Works Programme and Community Work Programme in partnership with national and provincial government.

These initiatives would be linked to infrastructure maintenance and service delivery, while graduates and young people would gain workplace experience in areas where municipalities face skills shortages.

The programme aims to contribute towards one million work, training and enterprise opportunities, although this does not represent a commitment to create one million permanent municipal jobs.

Digital inclusion forms another part of the proposals, with free public Wi-Fi envisaged at municipal libraries, clinics, community halls and customer-care facilities.

The party also wants municipalities to negotiate with mobile network operators to make access to municipal service portals free of data charges.

This would allow residents to report service delivery problems without using their own mobile data while improving access to information and digital services.

 

Opening opportunities to women and young people

The liberation movement has also outlined measures to improve economic participation among women, young people and persons with disabilities.

These include women's enterprise hubs, dedicated trading spaces, youth entrepreneurship programmes and disability-inclusive business support.

By 2031, ANC-led municipalities would work towards procurement targets of 40% for women-owned businesses, 20% for youth-owned businesses and 3% for enterprises owned by persons with disabilities.

Municipalities would also be expected to strengthen local supplier development, advertise procurement opportunities transparently and pay compliant suppliers within 30 days.

The proposals seek to ensure that municipal spending contributes to local business development rather than leaving emerging enterprises struggling to access opportunities.

However, the success of these commitments would depend on municipal capacity, available funding and consistent implementation.

For communities facing unemployment, struggling businesses and declining commercial activity, the key measure will be whether the proposed interventions translate into functioning business facilities, increased investment and meaningful economic opportunities.

The ANC's economic development programme sets out its priorities for the next five years, with municipalities expected to turn these commitments into measurable local development plans.