B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) certificates are required for almost every government tender in South Africa. But the rules around what you need—certificate vs affidavit, which level counts, and who can issue them—cause a lot of confusion.
Here's what you actually need to know before you submit your next bid.
Do you need a certificate or an affidavit?
It depends on your company's annual turnover:
- Turnover under R10 million per year (EME - Exempted Micro Enterprise): You can submit a sworn affidavit instead of a verified certificate. The affidavit confirms your turnover and black ownership, and automatically qualifies you for Level 4 B-BBEE status (or higher if you have 100% black ownership).
- Turnover between R10 million and R50 million (QSE - Qualifying Small Enterprise): You need a verified B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited verification agency.
- Turnover over R50 million: You must have a full B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited agency.
Using the wrong document type is one of the common tender mistakes that get bids disqualified.
Why B-BBEE matters for government tenders
Your B-BBEE status directly affects your tender score. Most government tenders allocate 10-20 points (out of 100) for B-BBEE contribution. The higher your B-BBEE level, the more points you get:
- Level 1: Maximum points (typically 20 points)
- Level 2: 18 points
- Level 3: 14 points
- Level 4: 12 points
- Levels 5-8: Progressively fewer points
- Non-compliant: 0 points
EMEs (turnover under R10 million) automatically get Level 4 status with an affidavit, which means 12 B-BBEE points in most tenders. If your EME has 100% black ownership, you qualify for Level 1 (maximum points).
Common B-BBEE mistakes that cost you points or disqualify you
1. Using an expired certificate
B-BBEE certificates expire after 12 months. If your certificate has expired at the tender closing date, you'll either get zero B-BBEE points or be disqualified entirely, depending on the tender rules.
2. Using a non-accredited verification agency
Only certificates from SANAS-accredited agencies are valid. If you submit a certificate from a non-accredited provider, it won't count.
3. Submitting the wrong level of verification
Some tenders specify a minimum B-BBEE level (e.g., "only Level 1-4 suppliers may bid"). If your level is lower, your bid may be non-responsive. Always check the mandatory requirements in the tender document.
4. Not including proof of black ownership for EMEs
If you're claiming Level 1 status as a 100% black-owned EME, you need to attach proof (certified IDs, share certificates, or trust deeds) with your affidavit.
How to get your B-BBEE documentation sorted
Before you start bidding on government tenders, make sure your B-BBEE documents are current and correct:
- EMEs (under R10 million turnover): Get a sworn affidavit from a commissioner of oaths. Include proof of black ownership if claiming Level 1.
- QSEs and larger businesses: Engage a SANAS-accredited verification agency. The process takes 4-8 weeks, so start early.
- Keep digital and physical copies: Many tenders require both scanned and original documents.
- Diarise your renewal date: Start the renewal process 6-8 weeks before expiry to avoid gaps.
For a full list of documents you need for government tenders, see our simple guide to documents required for government tenders in South Africa.
What happens if you don't have B-BBEE documentation?
Without valid B-BBEE documentation, you'll get zero B-BBEE points in the tender scoring. In competitive tenders, this usually means you won't win—even if your price is lower.
Some tenders also make B-BBEE compliance a mandatory requirement, meaning you'll be disqualified entirely if you don't submit valid documentation. This is why checking compliance before you submit is critical.
Resources for B-BBEE compliance
- SANAS (South African National Accreditation System) – Find accredited B-BBEE verification agencies
- Department of Trade, Industry and Competition – B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice
- CIPC – Company registration and shareholding documents
Bottom line
B-BBEE certificates (or affidavits for EMEs) are non-negotiable for South African government tenders. Your B-BBEE status affects both your eligibility and your scoring. Make sure you have the right documentation, it's current, and it's issued by an accredited provider.
Get your B-BBEE sorted before you bid—it's one of the easiest ways to improve your chances of winning.
