Fuels

The market for fuels in the Eastern Cape is worth about R40 million, which is a decent size. However, it's not growing, with zero year-on-year growth, so you'll need to compete for a share of the existing market. With 30 suppliers already working with 12 different departments, it's a fairly crowded space, but there is an opportunity to stand out if your business is black-owned, women-owned, or youth-owned, as these groups currently receive a smaller percentage of the total spend, such as 17 percent for black-owned businesses. To get a foothold in this market, you should focus on building relationships with the departments that buy fuels, such as the Department of Transport or the Department of Public Works. Start by researching which departments are buying the most fuels and tailor your sales approach to their specific needs.