South Africa’s informal and township economies: scope, vibrancy and employment potential

Drawing on the Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation’s long-running research and a survey of 713 young township entrepreneurs across five townships, this presentation by Andrew Charman (Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation), examined the scope and vibrancy of the township informal economy and its potential to create work. Charman argued that most micro-enterprises will not grow and that churn is inherent, so business-development support should foster a values-based culture of entrepreneurship, built on trust, reciprocity and mutual assistance, rather than focus narrowly on individual firm growth. Presented at the 2026 Public Economics Conference.