Katlego Sekhu

In 2020, a Drinks Federation of South Africa (DF-SA) study revealed that approximately 22% of alcohol in South Africa was illicit, an increase from 13.5% in 2017.
Recent studies suggest this number is continuing to grow at an alarming rate.
The growing illicit alcohol market poses a significant threat to both South Africa’s economic recovery and the health of its citizens.
This illegal trade undermines the industry’s efforts to contribute to economic growth through fiscal contributions and initiatives aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm, ultimately affecting lives and livelihoods.
These concerns took centre stage at the DF-SA roundtable held in Johannesburg in late 2024, under the theme: The Rise of Illicit Alcohol: A Collaborative Approach to Address Health and Economic Challenges.
Angela Russell, CEO of DF-SA, emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating:
“Illicit alcohol is on the rise, and we need a multipronged, multi-stakeholder approach to contain it.”
The profitability of the illicit alcohol trade has attracted organised crime, and the current penalties for smuggling and tax evasion remain an insufficient deterrent.
If left unaddressed, this could spiral out of control. Across the African continent, illicit alcohol already accounts for 40% of the market.
The Siz The World team recently discussed the impact this issue has on the economy, how we should curb this issue, and asked listeners to share if the alcohol they drink is fake.
For the full discussion, listen to the podcast:
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