EThekwini Municipality is investing R260 million in capital projects over three financial years, from 2024/25 to 2026/27, to upgrade informal trading infrastructure, improve working conditions, and expand economic opportunities for traders.
The investment was highlighted at the fifth eThekwini Informal Economy Summit, held at the Durban Exhibition Centre on 20 and 21 October. The summit brought together traders, government departments, financial institutions, and sector stakeholders. Its aims were to present existing support, outline future plans, explore funding opportunities, and identify practical ways to strengthen businesses and grow the informal economy.
Presentations covered capital projects, destination markets, the state of the City’s informal economy, spaza shop funding, township economy development, and banking solutions. Traders also viewed a video showcasing completed projects, including the recently launched Mansel Road Market and Lucky Mngwengwe Traders Precinct, as well as progress on developments underway.
Addressing traders, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said the informal economy remains a vital source of livelihoods in the City. According to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey, about 260,000 people in eThekwini work in the informal sector, including some 75,000 in informal trade. The City also recorded the lowest unemployment rate among South Africa’s metros in the second quarter of 2026, at 21.2%.
Mayor Xaba said: “The informal economy plays a vital role in the lives of eThekwini residents. It creates employment opportunities, supports families, and grows our local communities.”
The summit culminated in the Informal Traders Recognition Awards, which honoured 32 traders from across the City’s regions in four categories: Youth-Owned Business, Innovative Business, Job Creation, and Outstanding Compliance with Municipal By-laws.
The winners run diverse businesses, including hair and beauty salons, fashion and design, automotive services, recycling, photography, herbal trading, and food retail. Innovative ventures included an internet café, drone services, and beauty and massage services.
Prize money totalled R224,000. Standard Bank also gave each winner a point-of-sale device, valued at R6,000, to enable electronic payments.
Economic Development and Planning Committee Chairperson Councillor Thembo Ntuli reported progress on commitments made at last year’s summit. These include the refurbishment of more than 200 trading sites, construction of the Brook Street storage facility in the central business district, and secured funding for improvements at Bridge City, where work is expected to begin in December 2026.
Councillor Ntuli said further projects are in the final stages of approval for delivery over the next three years. These include small business facilities, storage infrastructure, and container trading sites at Sbusiso Mdakane and BB Section in uMlazi, the Berea Herb Market, the Bovine Head Market in Warwick Junction, Dalton, and the KwaMashu motor repair site.
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