​The City of Johannesburg is intensifying efforts to strengthen the township economy through increased support for spaza shops and informal traders, with more than 4 000 registration applications processed across the City's seven regions. Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero said the City has processed 4 043 spaza shop registration applications and made progress in the Gauteng Spaza Shop Fund drive in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA), with 39 beneficiaries already approved. The City has also issued more than 500 smart permit cards from the more than 2 000 cards that have been printed.

He was speaking at the two-day Gauteng Spaza Shop and Informal Traders Summit & Expo 2026, at the University of Johannesburg's Soweto Campus. He said the summit should look beyond permits and funding to tackle the broader structural challenges facing township businesses.

“It has to address who has access to land, infrastructure and economic opportunities in this city and who, even today, remains pushed to its margins."

The City will this year approve the Township Economy By-law, building on the 2022 Informal Trading Policy to create an enabling environment for township businesses to grow.

“Through our High-Rise Markets of the Future, we are turning sites like Kwa Mai Mai, Faraday and Yeoville from neglected buildings into modern trading infrastructure over the next five years. The Gauteng Legislature has already passed the Township Economic Development Act, which compels the state in Gauteng to use its procurement capability to benefit township businesses and localise special economic zones," Cllr Morero said.

The City's Department of Economic Development said the registration process should not be confused with the approval of trading permits, noting that registration enables businesses to begin the process of formalisation and compliance.

DED's Executive Director Matopane Masha said the summit provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs and stakeholders to exchange ideas and develop practical solutions that can strengthen township businesses.

“We really don't want compliance to be a stumbling block for the growth of businesses in our townships. We will continue supporting and helping businesses to comply and make sure that they are able to grow their businesses as well," said Masha.

South African Reserve Bank officials educated spaza shop owners and informal traders on the safe handling and authentication of banknotes, as well as how to identify counterfeit and dye-stained cash. Boitumelo Mahlangu, a small business owner from Pimville, Soweto, said access to practical information was important for entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen their businesses.

The Gauteng Spaza Shop and Informal Traders Summit & Expo 2026 ends on 18 September 2026 at the University of Johannesburg's Soweto Campus.

Written by Zingiswa Mndayi
18/09/2026

Recommended For You:

City empowers spaza shop owners with compliance and growth workshops
Joburg enterprise stakeholders empowered to trade legally
City rallies to rebuild township economy
City of Joburg strengthens support for township economy

To stay informed about the latest developments in the city, connect with us at:

X: @CityofJoburgZA
Facebook: City of Joburg
Instagram: CityofJoburg
TikTok: @CityofJoburg
LinkedIn: City of Johannesburg
YouTube: [CityOfJoburgZA](https://www.youtube.com/@CityOfJoburgZA/videos)​​