Ask most people what powers Gauteng's economy, and they'll probably reach for something big: mining, banking, telecoms, the province's heavy industry. They wouldn't be wrong, but that’s only half the picture. 

Take a closer look under the hood, and you'll find independent businesses doing a lot of the heavy lifting. 

Using data from over 80,000 Yoco merchants in the province, this report highlights their contribution and the community support that makes it all possible. 

Gauteng: SA's independent business leader 

It’s no secret that Gauteng remains South Africa’s economic powerhouse and it has no shortage of big business. However, data from Yoco’s platform shows that focusing on them might be overlooking the role independent businesses have in powering the provincial economy. 

One way that’s visible is in the number of them operating in the province. In 2026, Gauteng is home to more independent businesses than any other province in the country. 

Across all of the businesses partnered with Yoco, 40% are based in the province. That’s more than the next two largest provinces, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, combined.

What's more, these businesses aren’t concentrated in just one or two places. On the one hand, established independents are thriving in well-known hubs like Joburg’s Bryanston or Garsfontein in Pretoria. 

But, our data also shows major growth is happening in areas that rarely get a mention at all. 

One of these is Akasia in Pretoria North. The area leads the province with a 14.4% increase in new independent business over the past year. 

More importantly, new businesses aren’t just opening in Gauteng’s major cities. This is demonstrated by Bronkhorstspruit’s 10.1% increase in new businesses powered by Yoco. 

Gauteng’s independents aren’t just growing in number. Across the province, lesser mentioned areas are pulling in real spending growth too. 

Joburg’s Southern Suburbs are leading the way in transaction growth. Independent businesses here processed 18% more in transactions over the last 12 months, the highest in the province. 

Township businesses are also playing a major role: In Alexandra, local businesses processed 17.3% more in sales over the past year, while Diepkloof, Thembisa, and Katlehong made up six of the province's six fastest growing regions by new businesses.

The community support powering the independent economic engines 

None of this growth happened by accident. Time and time again, we see independent businesses thrive when the people around them choose to support them.

That support is one of the biggest contributors to Gauteng's independent engine. It might also explain why more independent businesses are opening in the province. 

Across Yoco's network, Gauteng leads the country for the number of new businesses partnering with us. In fact, new businesses in Gauteng are joining at double the rate of the rest of the country.

The industries where Gauteng’s community support really shines 

Despite really strong community support for independent businesses in the province, it doesn’t land evenly across every industry. The data suggests Gauteng’s residents have a special affinity for backing their local Health & Beauty and Retail businesses. 

42% of all Yoco's Health & Beauty partners and 39% of Retail merchants are based in the province, both well above the national average. 

Retail, in particular, is where Gauteng stands out. The province has 24.2% more retail businesses than the Western Cape, and its shoppers spend about 6% more per basket.

What's more, that same community support goes beyond brick-and-mortar. Gauteng shoppers are showing their support for independent businesses through their online purchases too: 46% of all Yoco Gateway online sales nationally originated in the province, up from 35% a few years ago.

Recognising the loyalty that helps independents thrive

This community support for Gauteng’s independent businesses is crucial, but its importance is not unique to the province.

Across the country, the data shows just how big a role community support plays in helping independents thrive. Among food and beverage businesses, one in three customers come back at least twice a month, and recurring customers make up roughly half of all revenue. 

Independent businesses who are set up to recognise that loyalty are usually the best positioned to benefit from it. Businesses whose customers join a loyalty programme see them come back roughly twice as often as those who don’t. 

Celebrating local heroes with Gauteng's Greatest

Everything we’ve covered so far comes back to one thing: people choosing to back the independent businesses around them. Gauteng's Greatest is where that choice becomes public. Behind every nomination and vote is a customer saying, this one is worth backing.

This year, Yoco partners took home some of the province's top titles including:

• 🏆 Best Bakery / Deli: Something Nice

• 🏆 Best Bicycle Shop: Cycle Mania

• 🏆 Best Book Shop: The Book Keeper Shop

• 🏆 Best Burger Joint: Bev's Burgers

• 🏆 Best Coffee Shop: Alostro Coffee Club

• 🏆 Best Date Night Restaurant: Lumo Lounge

• 🏆 Best Food and Craft Market: Rosebank Market

• 🏆 Best Hairdresser/Barber: Silvester Icut

• 🏆 Best Pizza Place: Cheese Louise

• 🏆 Best Takeaway: The Kitchen of Oz

And a special mention goes to &Fries, this year's Yoco's Choice winner. Only months after opening in Soweto, a car crashed through their shop. They kept going, serving customers from a food truck, while Soweto and the rest of the country showed up for them. They were back within a month.

They're a testament to the business thriving because people keep showing up for them through a nomination, a vote, a regular order, or a queue at a food truck. It's the kind of support that helped &Fries back on its feet in a month, and it's why Gauteng runs on independent business.