In Focus: Some key resources for women entrepreneurs in South Africa
#WomenEntrepreneursSA #BusinessFunding #EmpowerWomen #Entrepreneurship
South Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape is evolving, with women stepping into leadership roles & transforming industries once dominated by men. Additionally, a colourful mix of cultures gives South Africa its nickname “Rainbow Nation”, as it is known for its diversity, and it is also rich in opportunities for women entrepreneurs. From government-backed funding initiatives to private sector mentorship programs – a wealth of resources exists to help women start, sustain & scale their businesses.
But despite the progress, challenges remain. Women entrepreneurs often face barriers such as limited access to capital, networks & industry expertise. Yet, the determination of South African women to break these barriers is evident in the statistics – women own 72% of micro-enterprises and 40% of small enterprises in the country.
Turning Ideas into Enterprises: Support for Women in Business
To bridge the gap and foster inclusivity, both public and private sectors have introduced policies and programmes that provide financial assistance, training & business development support. With African women leading global entrepreneurial activity at 24%, South Africa is uniquely positioned to empower its women business leaders further.
Let us now explore the key resources available for women entrepreneurs in South Africa, highlighting funding options, training programmes & networks that support their journey toward success. Whether you’re launching a startup or scaling an existing business, these resources can indeed, be game-changers.
> The National Policy Framework for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality
The National Policy Framework for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality focuses on South Africa’s vision on gender equality, and it provides a framework for the design of sector policies, procedures and practices.
This Policy Framework is aimed at creating an enabling environment – to facilitate full development of individual potential. It represents the culmination of a long consultative process, which has included members of civil society, academia, government & the labour movement.
The main purpose of this Gender Policy Framework is – to establish a clear vision and framework to guide the process of developing laws, policies, procedures and practices which will serve to ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men in all spheres and structures of government as well as in the workplace, the community and the family.
https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC148641/
> She Leads South Africa
She Leads South Africa is all about empowering young women entrepreneurs in South Africa. It is a dynamic initiative – aimed at fostering the growth & development of young women entrepreneurs across the nation. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women in the business landscape, this programme seeks to create a supportive environment where young female leaders can thrive. By providing essential resources, mentorship & training, She Leads South Africa tries to empower these women to not only start their own businesses but also to become influential leaders in their communities.
This initiative is built on the belief that empowering women is crucial for achieving sustainable economic growth & social change. So, by focusing on young women, She Leads South Africa addresses the need for inclusive development that recognizes the potential of half the population. The programme is designed to equip participants with the skills, knowledge & confidence necessary – to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, ultimately contributing to a more equitable society.
In fact, She Leads South Africa aims to create a more balanced entrepreneurial ecosystem that fosters diversity & inclusion. This approach recognizes the importance of providing young women with the necessary tools & resources to succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a society where young women have equal opportunities to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, free from the barriers that have held them back for so long. With the right support and resources, these talented individuals can make a meaningful contribution to the economy and help shape the future of South Africa.
https://www.fundsforngos.org/all-proposals/a-sample-proposal-on-she-leads-south-
africa-empowering-young-women-entrepreneurs-in-south-
africa/#:~:text=Objectives%20of%20the%20She%20Leads,Members%20Miss%2070%
25%20of%20Grants.
> She Wins Africa
She Wins Africa is a programme designed – to assist women entrepreneurs across sub–Saharan Africa. This is done by offering training, mentorship and networking opportunities that will help their startups succeed.
She Wins Africa aims to address these challenges and improve opportunities for women-led startups to access financing.
> Women Empowerment Fund (WEF)
The NEF Women Empowerment Fund is directed at accelerating the provision of funding to businesses owned by black women. The funding starts from R250 000 to R75 million across a range of sectors, for start-ups, expansions and equity acquisition purposes.
In order to provide for different transactional needs, WEF uses a range of funding instruments – from secured (senior debt) to unsecured options (equity), and/or a hybrid of the two.
https://www.nefcorp.co.za/products-services/women-empowerment-fund/
> iMbewe Fund
This Fund is designed to support black entrepreneurs wishing to start new businesses as well support existing black-owned enterprises with expansion capital.
The Fund supports these entities by offering debt, quasi-equity and equity finance products with the funding threshold ranging from a minimum of R250 000 to a maximum of R15 million.
https://www.nefcorp.co.za/products-services/women-empowerment-fund/
> uMnotho Fund
This Fund is designed to improve access to BEE capital and has five products. These are mainly – Acquisition Finance, Project Finance, Expansion Finance, Capital Markets Fund, and Liquidity and Warehousing. These products provide capital to black-owned and managed enterprises, black entrepreneurs who are buying equity shares in established black and white owned enterprises, starting new ventures, expanding existing businesses and BEE businesses that are or wish to be listed on the JSE. Funding ranges from R2 million to R50 million.
https://www.nefcorp.co.za/products-services/women-empowerment-fund/
> EntreprenHER programme
EntreprenHER programme empowers women entrepreneurs in Botswana, Namibia & South Africa.
Launched in 2017, the Accelerating Women-Owned Micro Enterprises programme in Southern Africa has equipped more than 2,400 women who own micro-enterprises in Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia with the skills they needed to improve their businesses.
The programme, recently renamed ‘EntreprenHER’ at the official launch of Phase III on 2 February 2024 in Botswana, engaged trainers in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa – to lead workshops on small business management, particularly targeted at women in rural communities.
EntreprenHER is built on the principle of “Leaving No One Behind” – by intentionally focusing on micro-enterprises owned by women entrepreneurs to ensure they create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their communities. It is really seen as a gamechanger in enhancing women’s active participation in the economies of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.
EntreprenHER aimed to coach 1,500 women entrepreneurs to take their small businesses to the next level, from 2024 to 2026. Building on the foundation of previous training, the programme will also develop their digital literacy skills, teach climate-smart agriculture techniques for those in the farming sector, and introduce women to platforms such as UN Women’s BuyFromWomen e-commerce service for greater access to markets.
> The Isivande Women’s Fund (IWF)
This government fund aims at accelerating women’s economic empowerment by supplying cost effective, user friendly and responsive finance. The IWF offers support services to improve the success of your business.
It targets businesses that are starting up, expanding, rehabilitating, franchising and those that need bridging finance. The aim of the fund is to create self-sustaining black-and female owned businesses by offering primary financial and non-financial support.
> Business Partners Women in Business Fund
The Business Partners Limited Women in Business Fund is focused on assisting women entrepreneurs with starting, expanding or purchasing an existing business. The Women in Business Fund is aimed at helping women start their entrepreneurial journey on an even footing.
The fund aims to:
Increase access to finance for women entrepreneurs; invest in viable women-owned businesses; assist in the growth and expansion of women-owned businesses; contribute towards an increase in the number of successful women entrepreneurs and inspire young females in choosing entrepreneurship as a career option & facilitate the creation of new jobs and decreasing unemployment and poverty among the citizens of South Africa.
> IDF Managers Funding
The Identity Development Fund is a leading organisation in developing innovative financial products with the added benefit of being integrated with non-financial support. IDF is focused on unlocking value in the entrepreneurial sector through fund management services for institutional and corporate investors.
This fund is divided into multiple sectors, including:
– Management funds, which are targeted at entrepreneurial SME investment and
development.
– Advisory services on strategy and implementation of a new project, which is
targeted at the development of entrepreneurs.
Financial support is structured on a case-by-case basis and non-financial support is tailored to the needs of businesses during the various stages of growth, as well as the needs of the entrepreneur.
> Enablis Acceleration Fund
The Enablis Acceleration Fund is a partnership between Enablis Financial Corporation SA (Pty) Ltd and Khula Enterprise Finance Limited. It is currently capitalised at R50 million.
Their aim is – to improve access to SME early stage funding, while reaching out and supporting SME’s that are developing in remote or rural areas, with a view to creating new sustainable jobs that alleviate poverty and reduce unemployment.
This acceleration fund offers equity and debt instruments over loan periods no longer than 60 months.
> The National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
The National Empowerment Fund is a government agency that is set up to provide capital for black economic empowerment transactions. Although this isn’t specifically a female-focused entrepreneur fund, it does cater for black women and aims to empower them to become part of the entrepreneur society.
The NEF is a driver and a thought-leader when it comes to promoting and facilitating black economic participation through the provision of financial and non-financial support to black empowered businesses, as well as by promoting a culture of savings and investment among black people.
> Absa Women Empowerment Fund
Absa has positioned itself – to assist with the empowerment of females by introducing the Women Empowerment Fund. This loan offers a minimum of R50 000 to a maximum of R3 million with a maximum loan of five years and a monthly reducible overdraft.
The Women Empowerment Fund has been designed so that 70% of the loan is paid directly to suppliers and the interest rate is linked to the prime lending rate. The loan will also be structured according to the associated credit risk of the entrepreneur and their business.
If you’re a businesswoman with the skills and expertise to make a success of your business and your loan application has been turned down because you did not have enough security, then you may be eligible for finance though Absa’s Women Empowerment Fund, depending on your businesses’ capability to repay the loan.
> The Special Projects and Programmes Unit (SPP)
The Special Projects and Programmes Unit (SPP) within the Programme Analysis and Development (PAD) of SEDA, has an arm that focuses on projects specifically for women.
The SPP is supporting women so that they are hindered less by negative prevailing socio-cultural attitudes, gender discrimination or bias and personal difficulties. The Special Projects and Programmes Unit is a platform where women can educate themselves about all the various aspects of becoming an entrepreneur. Plus, this resource also provides women with information on additional funding sources.
> Women in Oil and Energy South Africa (WOESA)
The WOESA Group of businesses is focused on facilitating and promoting business for, and enhancing, the participation of South African women in the oil and energy sector. WOESA offers services to its member companies, organisations and individuals that focus on developing a knowledge base and building capacity amongst women through education and training.
The group facilitates access to business opportunities and conducts advocacy work for women – by assisting them in drafting legislation and policies. WOESA also aims to assist women with access to funding and investment.
WOESA provides specific services to enhance female participation in the oil and energy sector.
These services include:
– Organising workshops and conferences
– Develop a knowledge base and make it accessible to its members
– Training
– Interface between members and business opportunities
– Networking, lobbying and advocacy
– Participation in drafting legislation and policies
– Facilitation of access to finance/funding for business opportunities for women in the oil and energy sector
– Developing and maintaining an interactive website with information for members only, containing news, legislation, articles, business opportunities, a calendar and more.
– Recruitment of women in the oil and energy sector.
https://bplans.co.za/funding-financial-assistance-sa-women-entrepreneurs/
> Dazzle Angels
Dazzle Angels is a female-focused angel fund, that is both led and funded by experienced businesswomen. Their mission is – to generate inclusive funding for early-stage, women led and women empowering businesses.
Their vision is – “By women, for women, empowering women”.
Their angels not only invest their money but also invest their time, skills & networks, which is where the real value lies. All of the angels are successful entrepreneurs or experts in their field, are passionate about building early-stage businesses, leveraging their skills and networks to help our Zebras build the next generation of female-led businesses.
https://www.dazzleangels.com/
> South Africa Multi-Country Office
The UN Women Multi-Country Office for Southern Africa (SAMCO) represents the five countries of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU): Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa (where the office is located). These five countries are all members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
SAMCO’s works seek to see all women and girls across Southern Africa living safely, with equal access and opportunity to reach their full potential.
Their programmatic priorities are:
– Governance and participation in public life
– Women’s Economic Empowerment
– Ending violence against women
– Women, Peace, and Security
https://africa.unwomen.org/en/where-we-are/eastern-and-southern-africa/south-africa-
mco
> AfBC African’s Women in Business (AWIB) Global Network
AfBC African’s Women in Business (AWIB) Global Network is a platform created – to inspire, connect, educate & support African Women across the globe – to start and scale successful and fulfilling businesses, enhance professional career and elevated leadership to increase wealth and participation in the economy.
AfBC offers a range of services to help members, businesses, professionals and investors – in identifying profitable projects, investments, and opportunities in the market, raise business profile while promoting their products and services, network, build connections and partnerships, and enhance knowledge and skills.
So, join the AfBC African Women in Business Global Network to get involved in the conversations, start and grow your business, enhance entrepreneurial and leadership skills, gain access to funding and procurement opportunities, accelerate export and import to Africa, and influence regional policies and strategies.
> Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is a program designed to empower women entrepreneurs in Southern Africa – including Lesotho, Eswatini, and South Africa. AWE provides participants with the tools & skills to scale their businesses, drive economic growth & foster innovation.
> Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum
AWIEF is a non-profit, award-winning pan-African organization dedicated to women’s economic empowerment. Granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), AWIEF is committed to closing the gender gap by driving women’s business leadership and entrepreneurship in Africa. Their activities and initiatives are designed to support their mission – fostering an environment where women-owned businesses can thrive and contribute to sustainable economic development across the continent.
> AWIEF2025 Conference & Exhibition CTICC
Watch out for the AWIEF Conference & Exhibition scheduled for 30-31 October 2025. This event will bring together key players in the African entrepreneurial ecosystem – to engage in impactful dialogue, share good practices & foster collaboration.
Do join up in this exhibition in October at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) – for an inspiring gathering of global thought leaders as speakers, exhibitors & delegates. You will be able to explore strategies to promote inclusive, equitable & sustainable growth through entrepreneurship and innovation.
https://www.awieforum.org/
> Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill (WEGE)
Passed in 2013, the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill (WEGE) originally aimed to promote equality between men and women in South Africa. It encouraged implementation of measures to increase equality – such as designing programmes to ensure women held fifty percent representation in decision-making structures. The bill provides for both social and economic challenges to running for office, and makes provisions for enforcement. While the bill faced slight criticism, it was supported and passed through both houses of the national legislature, and went into effect in 2014.
Included are deals with measures to ensure women’s empowerment and eliminating discrimination in South Africa. Along with ensuring that women have equal representation in decision-making bodies, the bill provides several measures by which women’s empowerment is promoted. These measures include – changing circumstances that limit the achievement of women, establishing programmes to support and recognize women’s role in a variety of sectors of life & implementing legislation to ensure that these previous conditions are met.
Besides addressing women’s economic empowerment, the bill mandates that public and private bodies promote the economic empowerment of women – by promoting women’s access to economic and educational opportunities, increasing access to financing, land rights and entrepreneurial skills for women.
The bill also addresses the socio-economic empowerment of rural women in particular. Rural women are much more likely to be impoverished than their urban counterparts in South Africa – so the bill addresses the empowerment of these women in particular. The also mandates that bodies develop plans to facilitate sustainable livelihoods for women in rural areas, prioritize gender in land reform programs to ensure women have access to those resources, and to improve conditions for women on farms.
https://static.pmg.org.za/bill50b_2013_1_1.pdf
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/16775/
> Women in Africa for Transformation Initiative
Women in Africa for Transformation Initiative is a Pan-African organization that was established – to empower and give African women/girls the leverage and the opportunity to compete and win everywhere they go.
Their vision is – to Lead, to Empower and to Transform.
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
Poonam Sinha
