Development programme for SMEs

Johannesburg - In partnership with the 22 On Sloane campus, African Bank has launched an Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) capacity building programme for small businesses.

Twenty supplier development and enterprise development businesses were shortlisted for the 12-month course and have started the programme, which includes tailored group sessions and one-on-one sessions, and will end in May next year. The SMEs are from varying sectors including ICT, agriculture, architecture, insurance, recruitment, marketing, corporate gifting, inte- rior design and more. Major components of the programme are Business Readiness Level and Technical Capability Level.

The curriculum focuses on business readiness and helping SMEs to launch, scale and commercialise their businesses, and also assist with access to markets and funding. The bank said it will provide participants with guidance and support to start and grow their businesses in both local and global markets.

African Bank chief of staff Edna Montse said they partnered with 22 On Sloane to design and deliver the curriculum, and give participants access to its networks of global start-up ecosystem enablers, corporates and investors.

“The programme offers capacity development aimed at driving market and investor readiness in SMEs. It also facilitates access to markets and access to capital for the SMMEs. An additional grant allocation of R1 million will be awarded to the top five performers at the end of the programme for use in their businesses. We trust that participants will make the best use of this opportunity and work together with us to get their businesses and products ready for market,” she said.