SMMEs should be supported using coordinated and targeted programmatic strategies in order to harness their full potential.  Support strategies can be crafted based on key SMME categories that vary based on SMME tenure, growth phase and size. Four key categories for consideration include: Experienced professionals and SMMEs: These are entrepreneurs and SMMEs that have been […]

There is a correlation between economic growth and rising international trade, making trade development critical for developing economies to raise living standards and eliminate poverty. Growth-enhancing factors include increased competition from international firms, improving economic efficiency. This leads to under-performing local firms being replaced by more dynamic ones, increased economies of scale that lower costs, […]

Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are an important vehicle to drive economic growth, job creation, and social development. Yet, SMME development in South Africa faces several hurdles as they seek to grow, with one potential avenue being a support ecosystem underpinned by large businesses. In this installment of Letsema Talks, Shenelle Nair, Engagement Manager […]

Developing Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) as suppliers to larger businesses can be a catalyst for positive economic and social change. A four-pillar support approach is one way of creating sustainable long-term enterprises. A thought-out entrepreneur selection and screening process is a pre-requisite to ensuring a successful outcome of the four-pillar approach. This is […]

Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are widely recognised as the driving force of the South African economy. The National Development Plan (NDP) has stipulated actions to stimulate the growth and sustainability of the SMME market, envisaging that SMMEs will create 90% of new employment opportunities and contribute between 60-80% to national Gross Domestic Product […]

When developing an enterprise or supplier development (ESD) programme, the process used to select participating entrepreneurs naturally influences everything else that will follow. As such, it is absolutely critical that such a process be thorough, methodical and strategically designed. The overall framework that will craft your selection criteria will be based in part on the […]

Crafting an effective enterprise and supplier development (ESD) strategy is a multi-dimensional process where each formulation stage informs the other. A driving thought of developing the right strategy for a chosen supplier is finding the areas where strategic sourcing and economic development can create opportunities for inclusion. Designing a strategy can occur in three distinct […]

Enterprise and supplier development (ESD) within South Africa faces unique restrictions, particularly previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs. While apartheid itself is firmly in the rear view mirror of the past, the structural imbalances it produced in South Africa’s economy, both intentional and unforeseen, still persist today. The purpose of South Africa’s policy framework, which targets enterprise and […]

A negative perception exists that enterprise & supplier development (ESD) is a compliance cost. Business owners believe they are being forced to donate 3% of their net profit after tax (NPAT), and divert procurement spend, to companies that offer little ROI or are at worse incompetent. What if ESD was not viewed as a cost, […]