When it comes to the growth and sustainability of the small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, their ability to compete with bigger businesses remains a challenge. And although the advancement of digital tools such as e-commerce has helped tackle this issue, there is still a way to go.
One way to help SMEs become competitive with bigger businesses is to offer more development programmes which include access to market assistance, funding opportunities and business development support. These are called Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programmes.
What are Enterprise and Supplier Development Programmes?
ESD programmes are initiatives that are done to support the growth of black-owned SMEs by providing resources like skills training, mentorship, access to finance, and market opportunities. These programmes are a key part of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework, designed to promote economic transformation, create jobs, and foster more inclusive supply chains by connecting them with larger companies.
Benefits of ESD Programmes
The advantages of ESD initiatives are broad and impact both SMEs and the South African economy. For businesses, it has the following benefits:
- Access to resources and funding: SMEs gain access to investment funding, interest-free loans, and credit lines to help scale operations and manage cash flow.
- Expertise and development: Businesses receive business support in areas like strategy, technical skills, marketing, and accounting, often through mentorship and skills development.
- Improved competitiveness: SMEs become more resilient and agile through ESDs by enhancing operational efficiency, innovation, and overall competitiveness in the market.
For the economy, ESD provides the following benefits:
- Job creation and economic stimulation: ESD programmes contribute significantly to job creation and stimulate economic activity by supporting the growth of SMEs.
- Enhanced supply chains: These initiatives create more resilient, diversified, and innovative supply chains, which reduce risk for large corporations and benefit the entire value chain.
- Economic transformation and inclusion: Promote a more inclusive and sustainable economy by increasing the participation of SMEs in the formal economy.
ESD Programmes in South Africa
Here is a list of some of the ESD initiatives in South Africa:
- Thungela’s enterprise and supplier development (ESD)
- University of Johannesburg enterprise and supplier development
- Sun International enterprise and supplier development
- Shoprite enterprise supplier development
- Samsung enterprise development
African Bank MSME Capacity Building Programme
Earlier this week, African Bank opened applications for the African Bank MSME Capacity Building Programme. The initiative is a 12-month initiative designed to enhance the capabilities and competitiveness of small businesses across various industries. The programme aims to address the challenges faced by SMEs and empower them to contribute significantly to economic growth and job creation through mentorship, access to markets and other tailored interventions to suit business needs.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the initiative, you must meet the following criteria:
- The business must have at least 51% Black ownership
- The enterprise must be owned by South African citizen/s over the age of 18 years
- The business owner/s must be full-time entrepreneurs and NOT be in the employment of a public and/or private organisation, either full or part-time
- Must commit contractually to the programme for 12 months
- The business must be providing legal products and services (not drugs, tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, etc.)
Note, businesses owned by people with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
Eligible Sectors
The following are the sectors best suited for the programme:
- Information Technology (ICT)
- Green Economy
- Agri-processing
- FMCG-Retail
- Consulting and Services
- Power and Energy
- Marketing and Advertising
- Fashion and Textile
- Collections
- Manufacturing
- Franchising
- Health and Wellness
- Building and Construction
- Automotive
- Events Management
Applications for the programme open on the 24th of November 2025 and close on the 5th of December 2025. Applicants are advised to prepare all necessary documentation in advance, including proof of ownership, business registration, and ID documents.
Key Pillars of the Programme
Participants of the programme will benefit from the following:
- Mentorship sessions with experienced business leaders and industry experts
- Access to markets through the African Bank’s ecosystem and partner networks
- Business diagnostics and improvement plans, and strategies
- Workshops on financial literacy, digital transformation and compliance
- Networking and peer-to-peer learning opportunities
The programmes are designed to be flexible and receptive to individual business needs. This ensures the programme remains relevant to current SME needs and provides impactful and tangible benefits.
How to Apply and Access the Portal
All applications must be submitted online through the official application portal managed by 22 ON SLOANE, African Bank’s implementation partner. The application steps are as follows:
Step 1: Provide your personal information, such as full name, ID number, contact details and other details.
Step 2: Provide information on your business, such as name, sector and other details that are relevant to the programme.
Step 3: This step involves outlining your market and expansion plans. This means outlining variables such as the go-to-market strategy and where the business will go in the next five years.
Step 4: The final step involves submitting all required documents. Typically, this means business registration and tax forms, your ID copy and other documents.
