Getting real about red tape: Competition Commission’s review is a chance to boost SA business
Daily Maverick | 01.05.2026 21:02
We keep asking why investment hesitates and why small firms struggle to scale. Often the answer is not a lack of ideas or ambition. It is, among others, the slow grind of licensing, permitting and other regulatory requirements. These rules are designed for the public good, but they are too often implemented in ways that block entry and protect new market entrants. When that happens, regulation stops being a safeguard and starts acting as a gatekeeper.
