Maltech-Africa Hub

Shopping Cart (0)

BBBEE Certificate in South Africa

If you're applying for tenders, supplying corporates, or trying to unlock funding, you've probably been asked for a BBBEE certificate. Here's what it actually is, and which version your business needs.

By Innocent Muchererwa Mutara, Founder & Director, Maltech-Africa · Published October 2026

Get verified cross-border compliance alerts for SA, Zimbabwe, Zambia & Malawi in your Google News feed. ⭐ Follow Maltech-Africa on Google News →

What is a BBBEE certificate?

A BBBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) certificate shows your business's level of compliance with South Africa's economic transformation policy — covering ownership, management control, skills development, and more. Government departments and large corporates use it to decide who they do business with.

Do you need a certificate, or an affidavit?

It depends on your annual turnover:

  • Turnover under R10 million (Exempt Micro Enterprise / EME): you only need a BBBEE Affidavit — a simpler, sworn declaration, not a full verification.
  • Turnover R10 million and above: you need a full SANAS-accredited BBBEE Certificate, issued after a formal verification process.

What a BBBEE level is used for

  1. Applying for government tenders
  2. Supplying corporates with BBBEE procurement targets
  3. Qualifying for funding or partnership opportunities that require a minimum level

Even if you're not chasing tenders right now, having your BBBEE status sorted keeps the door open for opportunities that come up later.

Get your BBBEE Certificate or Affidavit with Maltech-Africa

Get your BBBEE Certificate or Affidavit with Maltech-Africa

Related guides: Company Registration in South Africa · CIPC Annual Returns & Company Compliance

Get your BBBEE Certificate or Affidavit with Maltech-Africa

Related guides: Company Registration in South Africa · CIPC Annual Returns & Company Compliance

Frequently asked questions

Last updated: 9 October 2026

How long does it take to get a BBBEE certificate?

An EME affidavit can typically be issued same-day once your details are confirmed. A full SANAS verification for larger turnover businesses takes longer, depending on the complexity of your scorecard.

What's the difference between a BBBEE affidavit and a certificate?

An affidavit is a sworn declaration used by Exempt Micro Enterprises (turnover under R10 million). A certificate is issued after a formal, SANAS-accredited verification for larger businesses.

What's the difference between BEE and BBBEE?

BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) is the underlying policy; BBBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) is the legislated framework that implements it. In practice, the terms are used interchangeably.

Does every business need one?

Not legally — but without one, you can't tender for most government contracts or supply many large corporates.

Ready to get compliant?

Browse our compliance services, or chat with us on WhatsApp and we'll help you choose the right BBBEE option for your turnover.