Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa now have access to a major opportunity for growth and support via the African Bank MSME Capacity Building Programme 2026. This 12-month comprehensive initiative is designed to boost business fundamentals, improve competitiveness and offer market access — helping SMEs overcome structural challenges and scale sustainably.
Whether you run an ICT company, a green-economy startup, a manufacturing concern, retail business, or a services venture, this programme could help sharpen your operations, connect you to networks, and prepare you for growth.
What the Programme Offers (Benefits)
Tailored mentorship and capacity building — training in strategic planning, financial management, operational excellence, and business readiness.
Access to markets and networks — through African Bank’s ecosystem and partner networks, helping businesses reach new clients, customers, or suppliers.
Business diagnostics & improvement planning — help to identify weaknesses, gaps, and opportunities, with actionable strategies to improve performance.
Workshops and training in key business competencies — including marketing, compliance, financial literacy, digital transformation, and operations management.
Support for sustainable growth, not just short-term funding — the 12-month duration allows SMEs to embed changes and build resilience.
Who Can Apply / Eligibility Criteria
Your business must meet ALL the following requirements to qualify:
Business must be at least 51% Black-owned.
Owners must be South African citizens aged 18 or older.
Owners must be full-time entrepreneurs — you should not be formally employed elsewhere (public or private) when applying.
The enterprise must provide legal products or services (i.e. not in restricted industries such as tobacco, alcohol, or illicit goods).
Commitment to the full 12-month programme duration.
Eligible Sectors
The programme accepts a wide variety of industries, including but not limited to:
ICT / Technology & Digital Services
Green Economy / Sustainability / Agri-processing
Manufacturing, Retail (FMCG), Franchising
Health & Wellness, Services / Consulting, Marketing & Advertising
Construction / Building / Power & Energy / Automotive / Events Management / Fashion & Textile and more
The programme also encourages businesses owned by persons with disabilities to apply, underlining its inclusive mandate.
Application Window & How to Apply
Applications open: 24 November 2025
Application deadline: 05 December 2025
How to apply: Go to the official portal on — submit personal info, business registration, income/revenue details, number of employees, business sector, and ownership information.
Documents required include registration certificate, ID copies, proof of BBBEE (or equivalent Black-ownership certification), tax compliance documents, and basic financial statements.
