The future of KwaZulu-Natal's informal economy took centre stage as government, business leaders and key stakeholders gathered for the Spaza Shops Economy Roundtable at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre in Mayville, eThekwini.

Held as the continuation of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government's campaign Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla - Silungisa Umonakalo Emnothweni Wendawo, the engagement was led by KZN Premier, Hon. Thamsanqa Ntuli, together with the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Rev. Musa Zondi. The Roundtable also formed part of EDTEA’s Local Ownership Businesses Activation (LOBA) Programme, which seeks to strengthen locally owned businesses and unlock opportunities within township and rural economies.

Representatives from government, organised business and the private sector shared practical solutions to support compliant spaza shops through enterprise development, improved access to funding, market opportunities and strategic partnerships. The discussions focused on building a more competitive, resilient and inclusive informal economy that creates sustainable opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

The Roundtable reaffirmed the Provincial Government's commitment to ensuring that local businesses are equipped to grow, compete and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of communities across KwaZulu-Natal.