SME Procurement & Funding — Where the Two Worlds Collide

Lerato Sebata has spent her career sitting at a table most people don’t even know exists — the one where procurement policy, business strategy and real-world implementation actually collide. As founder and CEO of ROI Group, she’s seen firsthand what happens when inclusive procurement works and, more often, what happens when it doesn’t.

In this episode of the SME South Africa Podcast, Lerato breaks down the barriers keeping high-potential SMEs out of corporate and government supply chains, explains why winning a contract is only the beginning of the battle, and challenges the assumption that transformation is happening just because the policy says it should be.

Candid, specific and grounded in real experience, this conversation covers policy in practice, the working capital trap, DFI performance and what SME founders should actually do if they feel locked out of the system. This one’s worth your time.

About Our Guest

Lerato Sebata is the CEO and Founder of ROI Group (Pty) Ltd. The company is a procurement and enterprise development firm redefining how SMEs access and succeed in supply chains. Sebata focuses on market access readiness and digital procurement solutions. With nearly two decades of cross-sector experience, she is a sought-after thought leader and business coach who brings clarity and commercial insights to procurement’s most pressing challenges.

Guest Socials

Connect with our guest on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠.

Links to Resources:

Tender Summit: ⁠https://www.tendersuccess.co.za/⁠ 

Lerato Sebata Podcast: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfmnfUe8QsdrtmKliUu5rwA⁠ 

SME Funding Summit: ⁠https://events.smesouthafrica.co.za/event/funding-summit-2026/⁠ 

👉 Join us at the SME Funding Summit. Grab your ticket before they run out:⁠https://events.smesouthafrica.co.za/funding-summit-2026