South Africa achieves first primary budget surplus in 15 years

South Africa achieved its first primary budget surplus in 15 years as it took a stern approach to funding State-owned companies that have drained government finances. Africa’s most-industrialised economy posted a primary surplus — when revenue exceeds non-interest expenditure — of R31.6 billion or 0.4% of gross domestic product in the year through March 2024, data in the South African Reserve Bank’s Quarterly Bulletin published on Thursday showed. That matched the National Treasury’s February forecast. “The decline in non‐interest expenditure was driven by lower voted expenditure, largely owing to the sharp decline in payments for financial assets, reflecting government’s limited recapitalisation of State-owned companies,” the central bank said. The data shows that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana held a firm line on funding to debt-stricken State companies like ports and railways operator Transnet, providing relief only if they meet strict conditions including implementing recovery plans and selling non-core assets. In his February budget, he provided no new bailouts to state firms.