A strong B-BBEE strategy is now essential for competitiveness. With evolving Sector Codes and tighter verification scrutiny, organisations must align Skills Development, Procurement and ESD practices to unlock real scorecard value. Effective tracking of black-owned suppliers, verification-ready evidence, and linking bursaries, learnerships and absorption to measurable points can prevent audit losses and improve transformation impact ahead of 2025.

AI is transforming Preferential Procurement from a compliance task into a strategic advantage. By automating supplier verification, classifying spend, and predicting procurement gaps, AI enables transparent, audit-ready reporting and proactive supplier development. Beyond boosting B-BBEE scores, it drives inclusive growth—helping South African organisations build smarter, fairer, and more resilient supply chains powered by real-time intelligence.