More than 42,000 foreign nationals apply to register businesses in South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal has emerged as the province with the highest number of business registration applications and approvals from foreign nationals, as government data shows more than 42,000 applications were submitted by June 24.

A total of 100,733 business registration applications had been received nationally by June 24, 2026, including 42,151 from foreign nationals, with KwaZulu-Natal recording the highest number of applications and approvals.

This was confirmed by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration chairperson Mmamoloko Kubayi.

Kubayi said the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has launched a programme to accelerate small business registration to ensure all traders operate legally and have the necessary permits.

“The cumulative permitting and licensing data as at 24 June 2026 show 100,733 applications received nationally, of which 42,151 relate to applications where the owner is a foreign national.