Enterprise and Supplier Development Archives

Support and empowerment for black owned SMEs

I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR (IAAE), a leading platform dedicated to enabling entrepreneurial success, has officially announced the launch of The Growth Code, an ambitious 18-month strategic partnership with First National Bank (FNB). This initiative is specifically designed to empower Black-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are poised for scale, investment readiness and long-term sustainability. […]

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iKhokha Elevate: A new operating system built for SMEs

iKhokha, the fintech company dedicated to fostering growth for South African small businesses amid challenging macroeconomic conditions, hosted its first iKhokha Elevate event in Durban on Wednesday, 12 March. The event, which saw hundreds of merchants attending in person and thousands more joining online, centered around discussing the challenges and successes of small businesses. It

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Women in business – South Africa leading the way

Community & Impact, In the News, Small Business Development & ESD, Thought Leadership / admin

The 2025 Grant Thornton Women in Business report – now in its 21st year – is out and the numbers are startling. Globally, women currently hold just 34% of senior leadership positions, up 0.5 percentage points from 2024. At this pace, we’ll not see gender parity in senior management roles in mid-market companies until 2051.

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Aions expands into seed fund management

Community & Impact, Small Business Development & ESD, SME showcase / admin

Aions Creative Technology has pivoted to become a dedicated seed fund manager under Aions Ventures to strengthen its position as a leading force in early-stage investment with a strategic focus on expanding its impact across Africa. By identifying, funding, and accelerating high-potential startups, Aions Ventures ensures sustainable economic growth and job creation in underserved markets.

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‘The Art of Scale’ to equip businesses with essential tools

Community & Impact, Small Business Development & ESD, Thought Leadership / admin

Small business development specialist Edge Growth is proud to announce the launch of The Art of Scale, a book written by Edge Growth co-founder Jason Goldberg. This compelling, hands-on guide celebrates the profound advances in South Africa’s and other African SME ecosystems over the last decade, as well as Africa’s contribution to thought leadership on

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The launch of a game-changer in South Africa’s payment landscape

Small Business Development & ESD, Thought Leadership / admin

In a country with a large underbanked community and millions of businesses still reliant on cash-only transactions, the launch of a groundbreaking association promises to contribute to an inclusive financial sector for all and progress the digitisation of payments in South Africa. The Association of South African Payment Providers, known as ASAPP, was officially launched

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GIBS Entrepreneurship Development Academy

Small Business Development & ESD, SME showcase / admin

A Pioneering and Stimulating Environment for Small and Growing Enterprises. With over 12,000 participants, more than 80 programs run, and over 2,700 trained entrepreneurs whose businesses generate over R3.6 billion in revenue, the GIBS Entrepreneurship Development Academy (EDA) stands as a testament to its impactful journey. Launched in 2012, the GIBS EDA’s remarkable achievements over

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Read – The ESD Handbook 2023/24

Small Business Development & ESD / admin

Welcome to the 2023/24 edition of the ESD Handbook, widely recognised as South Africa’s authoritative resource showcasing the latest projects, trends, and advancements in small business development. It is undeniable that entrepreneurship, in order to become a major source of employment and a driver of economic growth, requires deliberate support. Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises

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Introducing Galelo Africa: Empowering small businesses for a thriving economy

Small Business Development & ESD / admin

Unlocking opportunities for small businesses through innovative technology solutions and expert consulting. In 2016, two visionary entrepreneurs, Kamohelo Mothibedi and Buntu Mdaka, founded Galelo Africa with a mission to drive positive contributions to the South African economy and the rest of Africa. Recognising the persistent barriers faced by small businesses, particularly those from previously disadvantaged

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Winner of financial App of the Year on quest to empower 1 million entrepreneurs

Small Business Development & ESD / admin

iKhokha accelerates entrepreneurship by providing simplified payment solutions for SMEs. iKhokha, a locally developed all-in-one suite of intuitive business tools that empowers small businesses to compete in the digital economy, has won the 2023 MTN Business Finance App of the Year Award, adding to their 2016 win of MTN Enterprise App of the Year Award.

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Enterprise and Supplier Development

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