How to buy a business in South Africa
A practical South African buyer guide covering search, valuation, funding, NDA, due diligence and takeover planning.
Read guideBuying guides
Learn before you enquire
Use these guides to refine your acquisition criteria, compare opportunities and prepare for confidential enquiries. They are written for buyers and remain useful without advertising.
Buying a petrol station in South Africa
A buyer guide to fuel retail licences, supplier agreements, volumes, shop income, environmental checks and current petroleum regulator transfer risk.
Read guideDue diligence checklist for buying a business
A buyer checklist for reviewing financials, tax, staff, leases, contracts, assets, licences and operational risk before buying a South African business.
Read guideHow to value a small business in South Africa
A practical guide to SME valuation using normalised profit, earnings multiples, asset support, risk and South African deal structure considerations.
Read guideDifference between turnover, profit and EBITDA
Understand turnover, gross profit, net profit and EBITDA before comparing South African businesses for sale.
Read guideWhat to ask before signing an NDA
Questions buyers should ask before signing a nondisclosure agreement for a confidential business sale.
Read guideBuying a franchise resale
A buyer guide to franchise resale approvals, transfer fees, leases, franchisor consent and due diligence in South Africa.
Read guideBuying a restaurant
What buyers should check before buying a restaurant, takeaway or hospitality business in South Africa.
Read guideBuying a manufacturing business
Manufacturing acquisition checks for machinery, customer concentration, stock, safety, staff and working capital.
Read guideRed flags when buying a business
Warning signs that a South African business sale may be overpriced, risky or unsuitable for a buyer.
Read guideQuestions to ask a broker
Key questions buyers should ask a business broker before requesting confidential information or making an offer.
Read guideAsset sale compared with share sale
Understand the practical difference between buying business assets and buying company shares in South Africa.
Read guideHow confidential business sales work
How public teasers, buyer qualification, NDA and broker handoff protect sellers during confidential business sales.
Read guideKnow what you want to buy?
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