- About MSME
- Our services
- Current initiatives
- Success stories
Empowering MSMEs to thrive
We help medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) create lasting impact in their communities. By combining our extensive network of funding opportunities and financial business solutions with strategic expertise and practical tools, we’ll equip your business to grow and help realise its full potential.
What we offer
- Offers
Access to funding
Our extensive funding options include grant funding, interest-free loans, and loan facilities.
Business skills development support
Learning opportunities ranges from business and financial skills, to consumer financial education, as well as enterprise and supplier development.
Broad range of financial solutions
This includes life, investment, retirement, and health products, short-term insurance, and payment solutions.
Access to markets
Strategic supply chain and procurement partnerships through Santam Procurement and Sanlam Foundation.
Powering MSMEs with opportunity
104+ SMME Growth and Empowerment Solutions
This dynamic initiative was designed to bridge the gap between medium, small and micro enterprises and the resources they need to thrive in South Africa’s evolving economy. Powered by collaborative partnerships across the public and private sectors, the platform offers a comprehensive directory of funding, market access, training, and support services tailored to the needs of emerging businesses.
Sanlam SANParks Rural SMME Programme
This collaborative initiative between Sanlam and South African National Parks (SANParks) – is a pioneering effort aimed at fostering inclusive economic growth through sustainable tourism and conservation-linked enterprise development. The programme supports local MSMEs operating in and around national parks by providing access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and business training.
UWC CEI Fellows Programme
The UWC Fellows Leadership and Mentoring Programme, equips emerging entrepreneurs with the skills and support needed to build resilient, growth-oriented businesses. The programme is run by UWC’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), and offers participants NQF Level 5 accredited courses. Sanlam’s involvement has expanded the programme’s impact by introducing post-incubation support, ensuring continued guidance beyond initial training. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to empowering MSMEs as catalysts for inclusive economic growth and lasting prosperity in South Africa.
The Sanlam SANParks Rural SMME Programme
Through the expansion of the MSME support programme, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) small business suppliers now have access to interest free loans. The expansion follows the programme’s successful implementation in 16 national parks. The initiative, implemented by I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR (IAAE), provides short-term, interest-free purchase order loans, allowing MSMEs to fulfil their contracts without upfront capital constraints, easing financial pressure and enabling these businesses to deliver on contracts effectively. This support is especially significant in a country where MSMEs contribute significantly to the economy, accounting for roughly 40% to GDP yet often struggle with access to affordable finance.
Distributing funds across MSMEs in all the South African National Parks
Youth and women-owned businesses
Job creation and maintenance
Redirecting savings, such as annualised interest, back into funding MSMEs.
Highlights from MSME initiatives
From the Garden Route
One of the SANParks Programme’s early beneficiaries is Sidomela Trading Enterprise, a construction business owned by Cynthia Odwa Majova in Plettenberg Bay. In January 2025, Sidomela Trading received a SANParks purchase order to refurbish three staff houses in the Knysna section of the Garden Route National Park. On the same day, Ms Majova successfully applied for a zero-interest loan which was processed and disbursed within minutes. This financial support enabled her business to take on the project, creating 13 jobs in the process.
From Kruger National Park
Sungulani Business Enterprise received a purchase order to supply hardware materials and was supported by a zero-interest loan. The company is an Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME) located in Mkhuhlu, 41 km from Skukuza in Kruger National Park and supports 9 permanent staff. “The funding came at a critical time. Sanlam’s turnaround time was impressive, and the loan helped us fulfil the contract quickly and efficiently. It made all the difference,” said Mr. Jerry Sibiya, the Director of Sungulani.