The SME Growth Index is a multi-year research project geared towards establishing a solid, evidence-based understanding of South Africa’s small and medium enterprises.

It is the largest, most comprehensive study of the sector ever undertaken in South Africa, and one of a few of its kind worldwide.  The research is based on an annual survey that tracks the experiences of a panel of 500 established small firms in the manufacturing, business services and tourism sectors.

This report presents selected findings from the SME Growth Index conducted in 2013 and pays particular attention to the factors impacting on SME growth and links these findings to an assessment of South Africa’s competitiveness.

By SBP – www.sbp.org.za