---
title: "South Africa Factory Activity Downturn Eases: Absa"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/274499520.md"
description: "South Africa’s seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 48.7 in January 2026 from 40.5 in December, which was the weakest reading since April 2020. \"Although still below the neutral 50-point mark, the size of the improvement is notable\", Absa said.The business activity index edged back above 50 points at 51.4, up from 46.1 in December."
datetime: "2026-02-02T10:06:05.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/274499520.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/274499520.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/274499520.md)
---

# South Africa Factory Activity Downturn Eases: Absa

South Africa’s seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 48.7 in January 2026 from 40.5 in December, which was the weakest reading since April 2020. "Although still below the neutral 50-point mark, the size of the improvement is notable", Absa said.

The business activity index edged back above 50 points at 51.4, up from 46.1 in December.

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