Anthony Miller, CEO of Simply Financial Services. Cape-based insurtech Simply Financial Services, a Hollard Group company, believes business leaders in the SME market do not adequately consider the value of providing risk benefits to their staff. The 11-year-old firm says the segment, which consists of around 14 million employees and contributes roughly 40% towards the…
First National Bank (FNB) has been named Africa’s Best SME Bank for 2026 at the Global Finance Awards, recognising its support for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the continent. The award highlights FNB’s role in helping entrepreneurs access banking services, funding and business support. SMEs are widely regarded as the backbone of many…
In the past few weeks alone, we’ve seen a series of reported breaches and cyber incidents affecting education institutions, technology providers and industry organisations in South Africa. These incidents reinforce the hard truth many SMEs still underestimate: cybercriminals are no longer only targeting big enterprise. In many cases, smaller and mid-sized businesses are easier, faster…
Dell Technologies says it is supporting Black-owned and Black women-owned small businesses through its enterprise and supplier development initiatives in South Africa. Natasha Reuben, head of transformation at Dell Technologies South Africa, says the programme focuses on helping SMEs in the ICT sector improve operational and financial capacity through infrastructure support, training and funding. Eligible…
South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) reported a broad-based decline in confidence during the third quarter of 2025, despite a series of positive macroeconomic developments and strong optimism around the G20 Summit. This is according to the latest Business Partners Limited SME Confidence Index, which shows weakening sentiment across almost all performance indicators compared to…
SME Snapshot has launched an updated version of its business management dashboard, aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) demonstrate their financial health more clearly to potential funders. Access to finance remains one of the biggest barriers to SME growth in South Africa, despite the sector contributing over a third of GDP and employing…
There’s more to business innovation than breakthrough apps, technology or pivots that disrupt industries. For SMEs, innovation can be found in smaller, practical improvements that bring real value to both customers and the business itself. At its core, innovation asks business owners to think differently and look beyond the obvious to find creative ways to…
Miguel da Silva, Group Executive: Business Banking at TymeBank, examines the developments affecting South Africa’s SMEs as international finance leaders gather in Johannesburg. Johannesburg Hosts Global SME Finance Forum Alongside G20 Proceedings The Global SME Finance Forum takes place in Johannesburg from 15 to 17 September, bringing together more than 1 200 participants from over…
For many entrepreneurs, growth is seen as a clear marker of success. However, for South African SMEs, expanding too quickly or for the wrong reasons can slow momentum and dangerously overstretch resources. “Growth shouldn’t be a leap of faith, but rather a strategic move grounded in data, operational readiness, and sound financial planning,” says Nicole…
Nedbank has agreed to acquire Durban-based fintech iKhokha for R1.65bn in an all-cash deal. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to be finalised in the coming months. According to a statement cited in a MyBroadband report, the bank said the acquisition will allow it to merge iKhokha’s payment technology with Nedbank’s…
