Informal businesses sustainable growth challenges in South Africa

Abstract* Informal businesses in South Africa are confronted with critical, systemic growth challenges, such as financial exclusion, infrastructure deficits, regulatory & space barriers, low digital adoption, poor market integration and business skills deficits. South African informal businesses are severely hindered in the ability to participate in the global market through exporting. Business management, digital skills, reporting, and governance are among the business abilities lacking in informal businesses in South Africa. The study is based on peer-reviewed articles. The findings identified three key factors: Exporting barriers, global value chain barriers and inadequate Quality Management Systems. Literature and documentary secondary data outlined the significance of exporting, Global Value Chain and Total Quality Management Systems as a vehicle to foster sustainable growth for informal businesses in South Africa.