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How do you get a B-BBEE certificate as a small business?

Updated · 3 min read

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In short

  • Turnover of R10 million or less? Under the general codes you are an Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME) [1], though some sector codes set a lower limit [2]. A sworn affidavit, or a free certificate from CIPC, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, proves your Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) level [3], [1].
  • On the general EME affidavit, your level follows black ownership: 100% is Level 1, at least 51% Level 2, less than 51% Level 4 [4].
  • Between R10 million and R50 million, and at least 51% black-owned? A sworn affidavit works for you too [5], [6].

What it is and why clients ask

Clients scoring their own B-BBEE count their spend with you by your level [7], so buyers, government included, may ask for proof; for an EME, an affidavit or CIPC certificate is enough [3].

  1. 100%Level 4Less than 51% black-owned
  2. 125%Level 2At least 51% black-owned
  3. 135%Level 1100% black-owned
Levels from the general EME affidavit [4]. The percentage is how much of a client’s spend with you counts towards their B-BBEE score [7].

Which size is your business?

Size goes by total revenue for your latest financial year [4].

Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME)
R10 million or less
General codes. An affidavit or CIPC certificate each year [3].
Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE)
R10 million to under R50 million
General codes. At least 51% black-owned: an affidavit. Otherwise an accredited verification agency’s certificate each year [5].
Your sector
Limits can be lower
Your industry decides your sector code [8], which can set its own limits, such as R5 million for a tourism EME [2], [5].
New business
Projected turnover
CIPC goes by actual or projected turnover [8].

Certificate or affidavit?

An EME needs no verification agency, and agencies may not issue it a Level 1 or 2 certificate [3].

CIPC certificate
Free
A director or member applies. Not for businesses with a foreign director or member [1].
Sworn affidavit
Official template
Any EME, a sole proprietor included, signed before a commissioner of oaths [4], [3].
Valid for
12 months
Then apply again or swear a new one [1], [4].
A stamped affidavit
Counts as a certificate
Once a commissioner of oaths signs and stamps it [8].

Company or your own name? Read Sole proprietor or company?

How to get a B-BBEE certificate from CIPC

CIPC issues the BEE certificate online, at no cost, to EMEs [1].

  1. Bring your CIPC filings up to date

    Annual returns and the beneficial ownership declaration come first [9].

  2. Log in to CIPC eServices or BizPortal

    Or use a CIPC self-service terminal. A director or member applies, not a third party [1].

  3. Enter your turnover and black ownership

    You can’t change it once submitted, and false shareholder details are a criminal offence [1].

  4. Confirm with the one-time PIN

    Directors and black shareholders get an email [1].

  5. Apply again every 12 months

    The certificate expires after a year [1].

How to do an EME affidavit

Use the general EME template from the dtic, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, or your sector’s from the B-BBEE Commission [4], [10].

  1. Fill in your business details

    Name, registration number, address and type, such as sole proprietor or (Pty) Ltd [4].

  2. Enter black ownership and turnover

    Black, black female and designated-group ownership, and your latest year’s revenue [4].

  3. Tick your level

    Level 1, 2 or 4, by ownership [4].

  4. Sign before a commissioner of oaths

    Their signature and stamp start its 12 months [4].

  5. Tell buyers if anything changes

    Knowingly giving false details is perjury [3].

Just starting out? See Start a business.

References

General guidance, not tax or legal advice.

  1. [1]Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, “B-BBEE Certification,” CIPC. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.cipc.co.za/?page_id=3612 (opens in a new tab)
  2. [2]Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission, “Sworn Affidavit – B-BBEE Tourism Exempt Micro Enterprise,” B-BBEE Commission. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbbeecommission.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tourism-EME-Affidavit-Template.pdf (opens in a new tab)
  3. [3]Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission, “Practice Guide 02 of 2016: Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Certificates with Regard to Exempted Micro Enterprises and Qualifying Small Enterprises,” B-BBEE Commission, Aug. 29, 2016. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbbeecommission.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Practice-Guide-02-of-2016-BEE-Certificates-for-EMEs.pdf (opens in a new tab)
  4. [4]Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, “Sworn Affidavit – B-BBEE Exempted Micro Enterprise – General,” the dtic. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.thedtic.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/BEE_Affidavit-EME-Gen.pdf (opens in a new tab)
  5. [5]Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission, “Educational Material 13: Qualifying Small Enterprises,” B-BBEE Commission. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbbeecommission.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Educational-Material-13-Qualifying-Small-Enterprises.pdf (opens in a new tab)
  6. [6]Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, “Sworn Affidavit – B-BBEE Qualifying Small Enterprise – General,” the dtic. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.thedtic.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/BEE_Affidavit-QSE-Gen.pdf (opens in a new tab)
  7. [7]Department of Trade and Industry, “Amended Code Series 400, Statement 400: The General Principles for Measuring Enterprise and Supplier Development,” gov.za, May 31, 2019. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201905/42496gen304.pdf (opens in a new tab)
  8. [8]Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, “Notice 25 of 2025: CIPC Introduces Enhancements to B-BBEE Certificate (Affidavit) for Emerging Micro Enterprises (EMEs),” CIPC, Jun. 5, 2025. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.cipc.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/BEE-Notice-25-of-2025.pdf (opens in a new tab)
  9. [9]Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, “FAQs,” CIPC. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.cipc.co.za/?page_id=4160 (opens in a new tab)
  10. [10]Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission, “B-BBEE Sworn Affidavits,” B-BBEE Commission. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbbeecommission.co.za/b-bbee-sworn-affidavits/ (opens in a new tab)

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