If your business operates in South Africa (or plans to), the B-BBEE scorecard is one of the most critical tools you need to understand. It determines how your business is rated under the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment rules. Whether you’re an EME, QSE or Generic enterprise, knowing the scorecard well helps you plan, improve, and stay compliant.
Below is a breakdown of what the current/new scorecard looks like, how it applies to different business sizes, and what you should especially pay attention to.
What’s Changed & What’s New
Over recent years, the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice (last fully updated in 2019) have refined how the scorecard works. Key changes include:
- Reduction of the old 7 elements to 5 main elements.
- Introduction of bonus points under certain elements.
- Clearer priority elements and sub-minimum thresholds: certain elements must achieve minimum performance (or else the enterprise risks being “discounted” in its level.
The 5 Elements of the Current (Generic) Scorecard & Their Weightings
Here are the five scorecard elements, how many points each contributes in the Generic Scorecard, and what you need to know about them:
| Element | Available Points | What It Measures / Key Things to Know |
| Ownership | 25 | Ownership by black people (voting rights, economic interest, net value, and influence). This is a priority element. Sub-minimum performance here is critical. |
| Management Control | 19 | Black representation in management, both in executive and non-executive, including people with disabilities. |
| Skills Development | 20 + Bonus | Investment in training, learnerships, apprenticeships, internships for black people. Bonus points available for absorption, etc. |
| Enterprise & Supplier Development | 40 + Bonus | How much you support black-owned enterprises and suppliers, your procurement from compliant suppliers, development (mentorship, funding) etc. This is the largest scoring element. |
| Socio-Economic Development (SED) | 5 | Contributions to community development, social upliftment, non-profit or community projects helping inclusion. |
The total points possible in the Generic Scorecard (excluding bonus points) is 105. Bonus points can push the score above that, improving recognition.
Recognition Levels & What Scores Get You What Status
How your overall score converts into a B-BBEE level is crucial — businesses leverage this for tenders, procurement, and competitive positioning.
| B-BBEE Status Level | Minimum Score (Generic) | Recognition Level (Procurement Benefit) |
| Level 1 Contributor | ≥ 100 points (plus bonus) |
135% |
| Level 2 Contributor | ≥ 95 but < 100 | 125% |
| Level 3 Contributor | ≥ 90 but < 95 | 110% |
| Level 4 Contributor | ≥ 80 but < 90 | 100% |
| Level 5 Contributor | ≥ 75 but < 80 | 80% |
| Level 6 Contributor | ≥ 70 but < 75 | 60% |
| Level 7 Contributor | ≥ 55 but < 70 | 50% |
| Level 8 Contributor | ≥ 40 but < 55 | 10% |
| Non-Compliant Contributor | < 40 | 0% |
How the Scorecard Applies Differently Across Entity Types
Understanding what scorecard applies to your type of business is critical because not all entities are measured the same way.
| Entity Type | Turnover Threshold | Verification Route / Rules | What You Must Comply With |
| EMEs (Exempted Micro Enterprises) | ≤ R10 million per annum | Usually affidavit, with limited or no full audit; simplified verification. If black-owned (51% or 100%), can get higher levels automatically. | |
| QSEs (Qualifying Small Enterprises) | > R10 million up to R50 million | Full verification required unless certain ownership thresholds met; must comply with all 5 elements. | |
| Generic Enterprises | > R50 million | Full verification, must meet sub-minimums and priority elements strictly. |
Also, missing performance in priority elements (like Ownership, Skills Development, Enterprise & Supplier Development) or failing sub-minimums can cause your B-BBEE level to be discounted (lowered). That makes those elements especially important.
What You Should Pay Special Attention To
To get the most from the new scorecard, or to improve your level, here are some areas that tend to trip businesses up:
- Priority Elements & Sub-Minimums
If you don’t perform above a certain percentage in these, your level gets penalised. Ownership, Skills Development, Enterprise & Supplier Development are especially crucial. - Bonus Points
They aren’t guaranteed, but if you qualify (via bursaries, absorption of trainees, etc.), they can help you push over thresholds for higher levels. - Record Keeping
For audits, you must have documentation: ownership proof, training spend, supplier procurement records, SED projects affidavits, etc. - Black Ownership Matters
Not just ownership percentage, but voting rights, net value, realisation of shares, etc. New entrants (black individuals who haven’t benefited previously) may sometimes receive special treatment (bonus). - Procurement Strategy
Supporting black-owned suppliers and structuring your procurement spend to align with scorecard requirements often gives good returns without huge costs. - Understanding Verification Route
Knowing whether you’re going the affidavit route (EME or a black-owned QSE under certain conditions), or full verification (audit for QSEs with less than threshold ownership or Generic entities) makes a big difference in cost/time.
Why the New Scorecard Matters
- It raises the bar for compliance, especially for smaller businesses, making the system more robust.
- It pushes businesses to not just “do enough” but to integrate transformation into strategy.
- It ensures that public sector, corporates, and suppliers work in a way that promotes equity and inclusivity.
- It rewards proactive behaviour (skills development, supplier development) as well as ownership.
How Cenfed Can Help You Navigate the Scorecard
You don’t have to figure this out alone. At Cenfed Business Consulting, we help you:
- Understand which scorecard applies to your business type
- Calculate where you currently stand (self-assessment)
- Identify gaps, especially in priority elements
- Plan to accumulate bonus points
- Gather documentation properly
- Stay compliant and improve your level over time
📋 Ready to clarify your scorecard and plan your path forward?
Fill in our Compliance Request Form today. We’ll do a custom review of your situation and show you what you need to hit higher levels — simply and practically.