Tag: funding

Small and Media Enterprises (SMEs) are regularly rejected for funding, even when their businesses are profitable, because the system was not designed with their business reality in mind. SMEs contribute around 40% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and 60% of employment. Yet they face the SME funding gap, which is estimated at R350 billion. There is no shortage of funding in the system.

Research shows that the leap from employment to running your own business is far from a simple “quit and succeed” path. Those most likely to succeed usually take a gradual and carefully planned approach. Entrepreneurship transition strategies help guide this careful planning for long-term success.

South Africa's renewable energy tax incentives have unlocked significant private investment in the commercial solar sector. One fund manager deployed over R1 billion in less than two years. This milestone demonstrates the tangible impact of targeted fiscal policy.

If you spend your days inside Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) transactions like I do, you will know the story by heart. Good businesses try to do the right thing by becoming sound empowerment partners. Then the deal stalls on one thing: money that is either too expensive, too risky or simply unavailable.

South Africa’s financial markets are entering a new era. The Johannesburg Interbank Average Rate (JIBAR), long the anchor of domestic funding and lending, will soon be replaced by the South African Rand Overnight Index Average (ZARONIA). This transition is reshaping how interest rates are priced.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of South Africa's economy. They contribute more than R5 trillion in turnover and account for roughly 34% of the country's GDP. SMEs also employ 11.4 million people. These vital economic engines drive innovation, create jobs and fuel growth across the nation.

The role of corporate finance advisory and investment services has shifted in recent years. These services no longer simply provide transactional support. They now focus on strategic stewardship. Firms that combine technical expertise with local context are increasingly in demand. A select group of South African boutique advisory firms has positioned itself as long-term growth partners.

Supporting female entrepreneurs isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s also a business opportunity. Numerous studies show that women-led businesses are often more capital-efficient, demonstrate higher returns on investment and foster inclusive team cultures.

Despite meaningful progress in women’s participation in the economy, many women-led businesses across South Africa still face persistent challenges. These include limited access to markets and networks, as well as barriers to securing funding and digital tools.

Each year, medical aid becomes more expensive and slips further out of reach for many South Africans. Annual premium increases continue to outpace inflation far. As a result, staying covered has become an uphill battle. Many consumers are questioning whether their medical aid is worth the cost. Others are being forced to downgrade or abandon it entirely. If you're feeling the financial squeeze, you are not alone.