Over 1,600 businesses shut down in South Africa

• Over 1,600 businesses shut down in South Africa due to financial stress, with 1,601 liquidations recorded in 2026, a 23.2% decrease from the previous year.
• The hardest-hit industries in July were Financing, insurance, real estate, and business services, which recorded 41 liquidations, and trade, catering, and accommodation saw the second-most, at 173.
• The increase in insolvencies between June and July 2026, with a 134% climb, highlights the ongoing financial stress in South Africa, and the country's recent experience with load shedding in 2023 may have contributed to the current economic situation.