Tax & Spend

South Africa Annual Budget Highlights: Debt Peak, Tax Relief

Pedestrians cross a street in the central business district in Johannesburg.Photographer: Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Paul Richardson

February 25, 2026 at 12:07 PM UTC

Updated on

February 25, 2026 at 1:21 PM UTC

South Africa’s National Treasury said public debt as a percentage of gross domestic product will peak this year, as it announced better-than-expected revenue collection and relief for taxpayers to support economic growth.

Here are the highlights of the 2026 Budget Review published on Wednesday: