Structural barriers hinder small businesses' green transition in South Africa, study reveals systemic challenges
Original framing: “Small businesses that go green could make a big impact in South Africa: study analyses what’s in their way” — The Conversation - Global
Women-led and informal businesses, particularly in townships, face unique barriers such as lack of access to formal banking and certification. Their exclusion from mainstream green business narratives undermines the potential for inclusive and equitable sustainability outcomes.
The green transition for small businesses in South Africa is not a matter of individual will or market forces alone, but a systemic challenge shaped by historical exclusion, weak institutional support, and cultural marginalization.
By integrating Indigenous knowledge, strengthening financial inclusion, and learning from cross-cultural models, policy can shift from top-down mandates to participatory, equity-centered frameworks. The success of such efforts will depend on dismantling colonial-era economic structures and fostering new forms of governance that prioritize ecological and social justice. Drawing on examples from Brazil and India, South Africa can position itself as a leader in inclusive green entrepreneurship, provided it addresses the deep-rooted power imbalances that currently hinder progress.