South Africa’s seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 49.5 in August 2025 from 50.8 in the prior month, indicating the country's factory activity return to contraction. The business activity sub-index fell by 1.3 points to 45.8 in August, partly reflecting heightened competition from lower-cost imports. New sales orders declined sharply, down 8.5 points to 47.4, with respondents citing the adverse effects of US tariffs on exports.