Women-owned businesses have successfully secured 34.69% of the Western Cape Government’s total procurement spend for the 2025/26 financial year, Cape {town} Etc reports.
This notable milestone marks the second consecutive year that the province has not only exceeded National Treasury’s target of 30%, but has also done so without any reliance on set-asides or mandatory sub-contracting.
This significant data was revealed in the province’s 2025/26 Annual Procurement Disclosure Report, which was published today and highlights the Western Cape Government’s ongoing commitment to fostering gender equality in the business sector.
The accomplishment builds on last year’s historic achievement when the province first surpassed the 30% benchmark for women-owned enterprises.
Western Cape Provincial Treasury is currently collaborating with the World Bank to conduct a thorough assessment of procurement data.
There is a possibility that the Western Cape may become the first national or subnational government worldwide to direct at least 30% of its procurement spending towards women-owned businesses without the assistance of set-asides or mandatory subcontracting.
Alongside the impressive figure for women-owned businesses, the report also indicates that Black-owned businesses received 57.15% of the total procurement spend, while small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) got 25.24%.
These figures from Minister of Finance, Deidré Baartman, reflect the province’s broader commitment to economic redress and inclusion.
‘Our economic inclusion outcomes have been achieved without mandatory subcontracting requirements or procurement set-asides. Instead, the province has demonstrated that redress and inclusion are possible through open and competitive procurement processes,’ Baartman noted.
The report enumerates several achievements in procurement that support vital service delivery and infrastructure investment in the Western Cape. The provincial government expended R21.75 billion on procurement during the 2025/26 financial year, processing a total of 41,197 requests for quotations which resulted in 18,855 awards.
Among the noteworthy contributions to procurement spending, the Department of Health and Wellness allocated R8.87 billion, making it the highest spender within the province, accounting for 40.76% of total procurement expenditure. The leading categories of spending included:
- Other Fixed Structures: R2.94 billion
- Buildings: R2.52 billion
- Property Payments: R2.30 billion
In addition, significant investment was made in crucial healthcare services, with R2.18 billion dedicated to medical supplies and R1.65 billion towards enhancing the government’s digital capacities through computer services.
The impact of the Western Cape Government’s digital reforms in procurement continues to gain momentum. Platforms such as the eProcurement Solution (ePS) are enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the procurement process.
During the review period, 64.82% of ePS opportunities were placed through competitive quotations, fostering a culture of competition, value for money, and facilitating ease of doing business with government.
Premier Alan Winde commented on the significance of the Annual Procurement Disclosure Report, stating, ‘It is an important tool for transparency and accountability. It gives residents an opportunity to see how government procurement decisions translate into service delivery, infrastructure investment, and economic opportunity. Openness in public spending is essential to building public trust and strengthening good governance,’
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