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B-BBEE levels · South Africa
BBBEE Levels Explained: B-BBEE Status Levels and Points
Your B-BBEE level runs from Level 1 (best) to Level 8, followed by Non-Compliant. It is set by the points on your scorecard and decides how much procurement recognition your customers can claim when they buy from you.
- Updated October 2026
- Indicative guide: confirm your level with a consultant
- Advising South African businesses since 1998
B-BBEE levels and procurement recognition
The table below is based on the amended Codes of Good Practice. It shows how points convert to a level and what each level means for your customers’ procurement scores.
| B-BBEE level | Points on scorecard | Procurement recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 100 points or more | 135% |
| Level 2 | 95 to 99.99 | 125% |
| Level 3 | 90 to 94.99 | 110% |
| Level 4 | 80 to 89.99 | 100% |
| Level 5 | 75 to 79.99 | 80% |
| Level 6 | 70 to 74.99 | 60% |
| Level 7 | 55 to 69.99 | 50% |
| Level 8 | 40 to 54.99 | 10% |
| Non-Compliant | Below 40 | 0% |
This table is indicative. Your actual level depends on your scorecard, your size, your sector code and the sub-minimums that apply to you, and only a SANAS-accredited verification agency can issue your certificate. Chat to a B-BBEE consultant to confirm where you stand, or get a quick estimate with our B-BBEE calculator.
Procurement recognition does not mean your customer gets a discount, or that you automatically win the contract. It is the percentage of your spend that a customer can count towards their own B-BBEE procurement score when they buy from you. Your score is the points you earn, and your level is the status that score converts into. For example, 91 points is Level 3 and 82 points is Level 4.
How is your B-BBEE level calculated?
Your level comes from the total points on your applicable scorecard. Under the Generic Codes, the scorecard measures five elements:
- Ownership (25 points)
- Management Control (19 points)
- Skills Development (20 points)
- Enterprise and Supplier Development (40 points), which includes Preferential Procurement, Supplier Development and Enterprise Development
- Socio-Economic Development (5 points)
Bonus points are available on top of these base weightings. Weightings differ for Qualifying Small Enterprises and for businesses measured under a sector code. See the full B-BBEE scorecard breakdown.
Why total points are not the whole story
Three elements are priority elements: Ownership, Skills Development, and Enterprise and Supplier Development. Each has a sub-minimum threshold. If a Generic enterprise does not meet the sub-minimum on a priority element, its level is discounted by one level, even if its total points qualify for a higher one.
That means a business can score well overall and still drop a level because one priority element fell short. Checking the sub-minimums early is one of the cheapest ways to protect your level.
Draft amendments to the Codes were published in January 2026. Until they are finalised, the current Codes apply. Read what the amended Codes mean for your scorecard.
What each B-BBEE level means in practice
Levels 1 and 2
135% and 125% recognition. The top tier. In practice these levels are hard to reach without meaningful black ownership points, and they give customers the strongest procurement benefit.
Levels 3 and 4
110% and 100% recognition. Level 4 is the point where your customers can claim your spend in full. Many corporate buyers treat Level 4 as the practical minimum for their supply chain.
Levels 5 and 6
80% and 60% recognition. Recognition is already discounted here. Each step up to Level 4 adds 20 percentage points of recognition, which is why this range is often the best place to focus an improvement plan.
Levels 7 and 8
50% and 10% recognition. Moving from Level 8 to Level 7 lifts recognition from 10% to 50%, the largest single jump in the table. Even a modest improvement in points can change how attractive you are as a supplier.
Non-Compliant Contributor
0% recognition. Scoring below 40 points does not stop you from trading. It does mean customers get no B-BBEE procurement recognition from buying from you, which can close the door on some supply chains.
By business size
B-BBEE levels for EMEs, QSEs and large enterprises
Not every business is measured on the full scorecard. Your annual turnover decides which route applies. Always confirm the thresholds for your sector code, and read our guide to EME and QSE requirements.
Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME)
R10 million turnover or less. No formal verification is needed. A sworn affidavit or CIPC documentation confirms your status.
- Automatically Level 4 (100% recognition)
- 51% or more black-owned: Level 2
- 100% black-owned: Level 1
Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE)
Above R10 million and up to R50 million. Measured on a reduced scorecard and verified, unless the business is majority black-owned.
- 51% or more black-owned: Level 2, by affidavit
- 100% black-owned: Level 1, by affidavit
- All other QSEs: scorecard and formal verification
Large (Generic) Enterprise
Above R50 million. Measured on the full Generic scorecard across all five elements and formally verified by an accredited verification agency.
- Subject to priority element sub-minimums
- Level set by total points
How to improve your B-BBEE level
Start by understanding where your points are coming from today. The goal is not to spend more, but to spend where each rand earns the most points. You can improve your level without changing ownership.
Skills Development
Qualifying training, learnerships and development spend earn points, and build capability your business needs anyway. It is also a priority element, so it protects your level.
Preferential Procurement
Shifting qualifying spend towards B-BBEE-recognised suppliers is often the largest single source of points. A supplier review usually reveals quick wins.
Enterprise and Supplier Development
Qualifying support for emerging suppliers and enterprises carries significant points while strengthening your own value chain.
Management Control
Representation across the board, executive, senior, middle and junior management earns points, and can be improved through recruitment, development and succession planning.
Ownership
Where it is commercially appropriate, reviewing ownership has the biggest effect on the scorecard. It is a structural decision, so it needs careful planning.
Socio-Economic Development
Qualifying contributions towards beneficiary communities earn points and can be aligned with causes your business already supports.
Which B-BBEE level should you aim for?
There is no single right level for every business. The right target depends on your industry and sector code, annual turnover, ownership structure, what your customers require, your current score, and your transformation budget.
For some businesses, moving from Level 8 to Level 6 is the immediate priority. For others, the goal is to hold Level 2 while getting more commercial value from the investment. B-BBEE is a business decision as much as a compliance one, and the best strategies tie spend to commercial objectives.
A note on tenders: since the 2022 Preferential Procurement Regulations, organs of state set their own specific goals for each tender, and these do not automatically rely on your B-BBEE level. Check the requirements of each tender.
Frequently asked questions about B-BBEE levels
What is a good B-BBEE level?
It depends on your customers. Level 4 gives 100% procurement recognition and is the baseline many corporate buyers look for. Levels 1 to 3 give enhanced recognition (135%, 125% and 110%). If your key customers have set a minimum level in their supplier requirements, that is your real target.
What is the difference between a B-BBEE level and a B-BBEE score?
Your score is the number of points you earn on the applicable scorecard. Your level is the contributor status assigned to that score. For example, 91 points makes you a Level 3 contributor, while 82 points makes you a Level 4 contributor.
Is the level shown by the calculator or this page official?
No. Both are indicative. Your official level and certificate come from a SANAS-accredited verification agency, after measuring your actual evidence. A Gestalt consultant can help you understand your likely result before verification.
Who qualifies as black for B-BBEE purposes?
Under the Codes of Good Practice, black people are African, Coloured and Indian South African citizens, by birth or descent, or by naturalisation before 27 April 1994 (or after that date, if they would have qualified before it). Chinese South Africans are also included, following a 2008 High Court ruling.
Do I need a B-BBEE certificate?
It depends on your size and ownership. EMEs generally use a sworn affidavit or CIPC documentation instead of a verified certificate. Qualifying black-owned QSEs can also use an affidavit. Other QSEs and large enterprises generally need formal verification by an accredited verification agency.
How long is a B-BBEE certificate valid?
Generally 12 months from the date of issue, subject to the applicable rules. Plan your annual measurement and verification ahead of time instead of waiting for the current certificate to expire.
Can I improve my B-BBEE level without changing ownership?
Yes. Ownership is only one element. You can improve your score through Skills Development, Preferential Procurement, Enterprise and Supplier Development, Management Control and Socio-Economic Development. The most effective approach is to assess your scorecard first and focus on the highest-value gaps.
What is the difference between B-BBEE consulting and verification?
A consultant helps with strategy, preparation and implementation. Verification, the formal measurement that produces your certificate, must be done by an appropriately accredited and independent verification agency.
Want to move up a B-BBEE level?
Gestalt Consult has been helping organisations build B-BBEE strategies since 1998. We start with your current scorecard, find the most cost-effective route to a higher level, and align it with your commercial goals. Levels on this page are indicative, so talk to a consultant to confirm where you stand.