Code and category assessment
Confirm whether the generic codes or a sector code applies, then assess the relevant turnover band and ownership position.
Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment
B-BBEE advisory services in South Africa
Understand your current position, identify the right affidavit or verification route and build a practical improvement plan backed by defensible evidence.
Code and category assessmentCommercially grounded planningIndependent verification respected
B-BBEE as a commercial workstream
Build a position you can substantiate
B-BBEE can influence procurement opportunities, customer requirements, tender eligibility and participation in regulated sectors. A certificate alone is not the strategy: the underlying initiatives, evidence and operating practices must support the result.
M&J helps management translate the applicable code into a practical plan. We coordinate finance, payroll, skills, procurement and governance information so that the business can act before the measurement period closes.
Scope of support
How we help with B-BBEE
Scorecard gap analysis
Estimate the current position, identify evidence gaps and focus management attention on the elements that materially affect the result.
B-BBEE improvement planning
Build a practical roadmap across ownership, management control, skills development, procurement, enterprise and supplier development, and socio-economic development.
Evidence-file preparation
Create an organised verification file with accountable owners, source documents, reconciliations and an evidence checklist.
Affidavit readiness
Help eligible EMEs and qualifying black-owned QSEs confirm the correct route and prepare the information needed for a properly commissioned sworn affidavit.
Verification support
Prepare the business for engagement with a SANAS-accredited B-BBEE verification professional and coordinate responses to information requests.
Choose the correct evidence route Generally R10m or less Generally above R10m to R50m Generally above R50m
EME, QSE or Generic Enterprise?
The generic-code thresholds below are a useful starting point. A sector code may use different thresholds and requirements, so the applicable code must be confirmed first.
Exempted Micro Enterprise
Usually follows the sworn-affidavit or eligible CIPC certificate route. Ownership determines the automatic recognition level under the applicable rules.
Qualifying Small Enterprise
Eligible 51% or 100% black-owned QSEs may generally use an affidavit. Other QSEs normally require scorecard measurement and independent verification.
Generic Enterprise
Normally measured on the full applicable scorecard and verified by a SANAS-accredited B-BBEE verification professional.
Important: turnover, ownership and sector-code applicability must be verified against the relevant measurement period. Misrepresentation is not an acceptable route to a better status.
Scorecard planning01 02 03 04 05
Five connected elements, not five isolated purchases
The elements interact. A useful plan connects workforce data, training, procurement, supplier relationships, ownership and business strategy while monitoring priority-element sub-minimums under the applicable code.
Ownership
Assess voting rights, economic interest, net value and the substance of the ownership arrangement.
Management control
Review participation across board, executive, senior, middle and junior management categories under the applicable code.
Skills development
Plan qualifying training, learnerships and evidence around eligible employees and beneficiaries.
Enterprise & supplier development
Analyse procurement recognition, supplier classification and qualifying supplier or enterprise development contributions.
Socio-economic development
Structure qualifying initiatives with appropriate beneficiaries, objectives, measurement and supporting records.
Our method
From baseline to verification-ready evidence
Start early enough to change the outcome. Spend made without checking the code, beneficiary rules, measurement period or evidence requirements may not earn the expected recognition.
Plan your assessment- 1
Classify
Confirm the entity, applicable code, measurement period, turnover category and ownership facts.
- 2
Baseline
Collect financial, payroll, procurement, training and ownership information to model the present position.
- 3
Prioritise
Identify sub-minimum risks, commercial requirements, quick corrections and longer-term transformation initiatives.
- 4
Implement
Assign owners, budgets, milestones and documentary requirements to each approved initiative.
- 5
Prepare
Reconcile the evidence file and support the affidavit or independent verification route that applies.
What you receive
A usable management plan
- Applicable-code and enterprise-category assessment
- Baseline scorecard or status-route assessment
- Gap and priority-risk report
- Scenario modelling and improvement roadmap
- Evidence checklist and document-owner matrix
- Verification-readiness review and coordination
Foreign-owned and expanding businesses
Assess B-BBEE before it becomes a sales blocker
A foreign-owned company can register and operate in South Africa without first obtaining a particular B-BBEE level, but customers, tenders, licences or supply chains may set commercial requirements. The assessment should be connected to the market-entry and contracting strategy.
Explore South Africa market-entry services or review our guide to setting up a business in South Africa.
Frequently asked questions
B-BBEE advisory FAQs
Is B-BBEE mandatory for every South African business?
B-BBEE is not a universal licence to trade or a condition for incorporating a company. It can, however, materially affect government procurement, tenders, sector requirements, corporate supply chains and customer buying decisions. The commercial impact should be assessed for the specific business.
What is the difference between an EME, QSE and Generic Enterprise?
Under the generic codes, an Exempted Micro Enterprise generally has annual total revenue of R10 million or less, a Qualifying Small Enterprise generally has revenue above R10 million and up to R50 million, and a Generic Enterprise is generally above R50 million. Sector-code thresholds can differ, so classification begins by confirming the applicable code.
Do we need a B-BBEE affidavit or a verification certificate?
Under the generic framework, EMEs generally use a sworn affidavit or an eligible CIPC certificate. QSEs with at least 51% black ownership may generally use the affidavit route; other QSEs and Generic Enterprises generally require verification. The entity, code, turnover and ownership must be checked before choosing the route.
Can M&J issue a B-BBEE verification certificate?
M&J provides advisory, planning and verification-readiness support. A formal B-BBEE verification certificate must be issued by an appropriately SANAS-accredited verification professional. We can help prepare the evidence and coordinate the process without representing the independent verifier.
How long is a B-BBEE certificate or affidavit valid?
B-BBEE status documents are generally relied on for 12 months, subject to their issue date, the applicable rules and the recipient’s validation requirements. The document should be checked for completeness and validity before use.
How can a company improve its B-BBEE level?
Improvement starts with the applicable scorecard and a defensible baseline. The plan may address ownership, management control, skills development, procurement and supplier development, and socio-economic development. Actions should have commercial substance, proper governance and complete supporting evidence.
What if our industry has a sector code?
A gazetted sector code can change thresholds, targets, definitions and evidence requirements. We first test whether a sector code applies and then build the analysis against that code rather than assuming the generic scorecard.
Can you guarantee a particular B-BBEE level?
No responsible adviser can guarantee a level before the measurement facts and evidence have been independently tested. We can model scenarios and help implement a plan, but the final verified outcome belongs to the accredited verification professional.
Regulatory information reviewed 17 August 2026. Always confirm the current gazetted code and official guidance for the measured entity.
Related guidance and services
Know where your B-BBEE plan should start
Tell us your turnover, ownership profile, industry and commercial target. We will help you identify the applicable route and the work required before affidavit or verification.