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Rand notes in a wallet.
BankservAfrica’s Economic Transactions Index (BETI) has recorded an increase in economic transactions in March.
This comes despite tough economic conditions including an intensifying global trade war.
The BETI measures the value of all electronic transactions cleared through BankservAfrica on a monthly basis at seasonally adjusted real prices.
It showed a slight recovery in March, reaching a 137.01 index points, a 0.3% increase on February’s level of 136.06 points.
Economist Elize Kruger has warned that the ongoing global uncertainty and weak local growth may slow down economic activity with little indication of a sustained turnaround.
“The BankservAfrica Economic Transactions Index increased marginally in the month of March reflecting amongst others a favourable retail environment with headline inflation still low at 3,2% real wage increase is on the table as well as prime rate 75 basis point lower compared to a year ago.”
Kruger adds, “We are currently we are growing below our potential less than population growth, we’ve got a limited margin for unexpected shocks as is currently playing out in the global environment so this evolving trade war playing out especially in the past week will indeed be negative so South Africa’s economic growth.”
BETI notes increase in economic transaction in March 2025
