The IRR’s Blueprint for Growth 2025

This paper proposes that the government should unlock billions in growth potential by being transparent about the real costs of so-called BEE “premiums”, reducing BEE premiums to R0, and cutting Value-Added Tax by R100 billion. Taking these steps, says IRR Fellow and paper author Gabriel Crouse, would be the most direct way to unlock the wiser buying power of millions of South Africans, particularly the poor, who best understand the value of every cent they are left to spend after tax.

Many South Africans remain somewhat hopeful following the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), with the expectation that this renewed optimism might translate into meaningful change. However, unemployment and poverty have been on the rise for over a decade. Infrastructure is collapsing, investors are pulling out, and the cost of living is rising. The IRR's latest report, written by our CEO Dr John Endres, has been updated to reflect the recent developments. It serves as the foundation for the revised Blueprint for Growth series which outline how South Africa can transform this hope into tangible economic growth.