Small businesses are the heartbeat of SA’s economy, playing a vital role in driving inclusive growth, innovation and job creation. They contribute significantly to GDP and are responsible for employing millions, particularly in underserved communities. Their agility, creativity and community focus make them indispensable to the country’s long-term economic transformation.

The bourse recognises the important role of SMEs in unlocking economic potential and social upliftment. To support small companies and help them develop, the exchange runs the SME Rise programme, a solution dedicated to empowering SMEs across SA.

More than 400 small businesses were connected with potential funders last year through the programme’s Capital Matching Roadshow in the Western Cape, East London and Bloemfontein. This year the roadshow will once again be in the Western Cape as well as two new provinces, Gauteng and Limpopo. SME Rise continues to be a cornerstone of the JSE’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive economic development.

‘The SME Rise initiative has proven to be a powerful catalyst in unlocking opportunities for SMEs. The milestones the initiative continues to reach bear testament to what’s possible when we invest in the SME sector. At the JSE, we remain committed to deepening our impact by collaborating with strategic allies to create an environment that enables more SMEs to access the support they need to grow, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to our economy,’ says Vuyo Lee, the JSE’s Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs.

Ensuring that SMEs are funding-ready is crucial for their growth and sustainability. As such, the JSE SME Rise solution aims to address this need by equipping businesses with the necessary tools and training to navigate the complex funding landscape. A key component of this initiative is the collaboration with JSE Private Placements, a pivotal enabler connecting entrepreneurs with investors through its streamlined digital platform.

In an effort to enable access to capital – which is one of the most significant barriers for SMEs – SME Rise addresses this challenge through its funding-readiness training. The training equips SMEs with the knowledge and tools to become investment-ready, positioning them for success leading up to the Capital Matching events.

Meanwhile in May, the JSE announced a collaboration with the United Kingdom government’s UK-South Africa Tech Hub to deliver services for its JSE Enterprise Acceleration Programme. This collaborative venture aims to support high-potential, tech-focused and tech-enabled medium-sized companies in scaling up their businesses, attracting investment and expanding into new markets.

Now in its fourth year, the Acceleration Programme has, to date, trained and mentored founders in more than 50 companies representing multiple sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, services, tech, mining and retail, equipping them with critical skills, industry insights and access to strategic networks

Participating companies for the 2025 cohort will benefit from a structured 12-month programme that covers key areas such as business acceleration, funding readiness and market expansion opportunities, while focusing on individual business goals and scalability.

‘The collaboration with the UK-SA Tech Hub fortifies our commitment to building a thriving SME sector in South Africa. Through this initiative, we are not only providing businesses with the tools they need to scale, but also opening doors for global opportunities by positioning South African SMEs for international visibility, funding and partnerships,’ says Lee.

This year’s Acceleration Programme will be further supported by the Mamela Luthuli Foundation NPC, an initiative led by alumni of the JSE Enterprise Acceleration Programme and the founder of Take Note IT, Mamela Luthuli. The foundation will expose participating medium-sized enterprises to key tech expert-led workshops and targeted investor engagements.

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