Sachin Chanderdhev, Sector Specialist for Manufacturing at Absa
Business confidence in the manufacturing sector came under renewed pressure during the first quarter of 2026, with lacklustre demand weighing on sentiment.
According to the Q1 Absa Manufacturing Survey, the headline index number declined by 9 index points to 30 from the previous quarter. Sales volumes, orders and selling prices all ex...
The article presents a picture of a manufacturing sector facing significant headwinds, primarily driven by external forces – specifically, global trading dynamics and the imposition of tariffs. The “glimmer of hope” from the end of 2025 quickly faded, revealing a deeply interconnected vulnerability, showcasing how the sector’s reliance on international markets makes it susceptible to shifts in global power and economic policy. The Steelman maneuver is evident – Absa Business Banking aggressively...
