Media

On this page you will find statements and op-eds distributed by SBI; coverage the Institute receives and news about and for SMEs. While we do not necessarily endorse political parties, nor the findings of other research institutions, our research and advocacy positions are increasingly highlighted by influential commentators. We post these articles or interviews here for your review.

Time to Pay Up: Government unveils toughest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years

Time to Pay Up: Government unveils toughest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years Small businesses to be backed by new, stronger measures to tackle late payments. UK is backing small businesses with the toughest laws on late payments in the G7 Sweeping new...

Untangling the Knot: Navigating South Africa’s SMME Regulatory Landscape in 2026

Untangling the Knot: Navigating South Africa’s SMME Regulatory Landscape in 2026 Written by: Christo Owen van der Rheede For a small business owner in South Africa, the dream of entrepreneurship often collides with a sobering reality: a "paperwork ceiling" known as...

About FASA 2026 Conference and EXPO

About FASA 2026 Conference and EXPO South Africa is reaching a critical economic juncture. While franchising currently contributes a significant 15% to our GDP, FASA's 2026 Conference and EXPO focused on the transformative shift to 20%. The event served as a strategic...

SBI Podcast, episode two on B20 – In conversation with Dr Anthony Costa

SBI Podcast series episode two on B20- In conversation with, Dr Anthony CostaIn Episode 2 from the Small Business Institute's B20 podcast series, we sit down with Dr. Anthony Costa, a key figure at the heart of B20 South Africa’s preparations. Dr. Costa shares an...

SBI BPL SME Indaba left Small Business owners inspired!

THE SBI BPL SME INDABA – AN EVENT THAT EMPOWERED AND INSPIRED! The SBI BPL SME Indaba “Finance as a growth enabler” were held on 26 August 2025 at Bryanston Country Club. It was nothing short of a powerhouse day for South Africa’s small business segment. Co-hosted...

SBI BPL SME Indaba: “Finance As a Growth Enabler” – Tues, 26 August 2025

Attention Small Business Owners, SME Champions, and Everyone Driving Growth in the SME Ecosystem! The Small Business Institute (SBI) and Business Partners Limited are excited to invite you formally to join us at the next SME Indaba -- a must-attend event focusing on:...

SUBMISSION BY THE SMALL BUSINESS INSTITUTE ON THE DRAFT TRANSFORMATION FUND CONCEPT PAPER

SUBMISSION BY THE SMALL BUSINESS INSTITUTE ON THE DRAFT TRANSFORMATION FUND CONCEPT PAPER To: the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (“dtic”)By email: transformationfund@thedtic.gov.za May 28 2025 Introduction and background Earlier this year, government,...

SBI Podcast, Episode one on B20 – In conversation with BUSA CEO Khulekani Mathe

Get ready for an insightful episode where we unpack everything you need to know about the B20 with BUSA CEO, Khulekani Mathe —what it is, how it differs from the G20, and why it matters for business in South Africa and beyond. We’ll break down the unique role of...

SBI SME Indaba – Tuesday 20 May 2025 – “Innovation amidst compliance burden – unlocking the power of new technology.”

Attention Small Business owners, Business Chamber organisations and all role players in the SME enablement ecosystem! You are invited to the Next SBI SME Indaba being hosted on Tuesday 20 May 2025. Seats are limited, make sure to register to avoid disappointment!...

MEDIA STATEMENT: SBI CALLS ON RAMAPHOSA TO PLACE SMES AT THE HEART OF THE GROWTH AGENDA | MEDIA STATEMENT: SBI CALLS ON RAMAPHOSA TO PLACE SMES AT THE HEART OF THE GROWTH AGENDA

The Small Business Institute (“SBI”), which represents thousands of small

SBI supports Parliamentary Portfolio Committee attempt to hold Department of Small Business Development to account

The Small Business Institute notes that the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development

New Release from the Small Business Institute

The Small Business Institute today rejected the resignation offered by board member

Statement in response to the SONA from the Small Business Institute

It’s now or never – time to shift government from blocking to enhancing sustainable SMEs

SBI’s submission to the Minister for Economic Development on the bill to amend the Competition Act

Submission to the Minister of Economic Development in response to Government Gazette notice No. 1345, the Competition Amendment Bill 2017 on behalf of the Small Business Institute, the SBI (formerly the AHI). Via email: competitionbill@economic.gov.za The SBI...

News Release from the Small Business Institute: SBI announces new board, focus on SME research

News Release from the Small Business Institute 29 January 2018 SBI announces new board, focus on SME research The SBI (formerly the AHI) has reconstituted its board of directors following the adoption of a new Memorandum of Incorporation. Each board member...

SBI Newsletter January 2018

View this email in your browser SBI Newsletter January 2018 Dear SBI member, associate and business partner. Please see below for the first of 2018's quarterly newsletters. Following the first board meeting under our new Memorandum of Incorporation, this newsletter...

STATEMENT FROM THE SBI: Medium Term Budget must support SMEs to ensure Radical Economic Growth

STATEMENT FROM THE SBI (Formerly the AHI) 24 October 2017 Medium Term Budget must support SMEs to ensure Radical Economic Growth The SBi small business chamber organisation (formerly AHi) calls on the finance minister to ‘think small first’, as government...

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE AHI: payment of government suppliers within 30 days

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE AHI: payment of government suppliers within 30 days 22 August 2017 The AHI notes the comments by Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe that timing for payments by government to suppliers is improving. (Click here to read the ministry's press...

AHI SME Indaba – Keynote address: Mcebisi Jonas – Former deputy minister of finance,

Keynote Address AHi Small Business Chamber’s Conference 5 April 2017 Creating Jobs Against All Odds Mcebisi Jonas, MP In our present circumstances, it is unnecessary to remind this audience, I am sure, that economics and politics are inextricably bound together. We...

AHI Press release: Certainty above all

The small and medium business champion, AHI, was deeply concerned by the irrational and reckless action by the President to recall his finance minister and replace his cabinet without consultation. Ongoing uncertainty had prompted AHI to call on the government to...

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE AHI: Tough Budget Reflecting Economic and Political Environment with little leeway.

SME representative organisation AHI says the National Budget tabled by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in Parliament this afternoon erred on the side of political caution. "It was a generally cautious budget in light recent political pressure on the Treasury, low...

AHI Turns 75. Let’s Celebrate With Economic Growth

The AHI has come a long way in 75 years, from its establishment in 1942 as the voice of Afrikaans Business, until today where it represents all South Africans who wish to share its vision of a prosperous, thriving small and medium enterprise community, according to...

STATEMENT BY AHI: Our troubled nation needs a compassionate statesman as its leader. – Bernard Swanepoel: AHI President

The upcoming state of the nation address to be delivered by President Jacob Zuma on Thursday evening needs to be directed primarily at the 9-million unemployed South Africans. For them, the state of the nation is dire. Without a truly visionary plan for the country to...

News Release from the AHI: New focus for small business chamber

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE AHI 24 January 2017 New focus for small business chamber The board of the AHI has made South African businessman Bernard Swanepoel president of the organisation for the 2017 calendar year, according to CEO Dr Ernest Messina. He said Swanepoel is...

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SBI: New focus for small Business Chamber Organisation

Press release from SBI (Previously AHI) 25 September 2017 NEW FOCUS FOR SMALL BUSINESS CHAMBER ORGANISATION For the past year, the AHI business chamber organisation has taken steps to renew itself to safeguard its relevance and diversity and become the ‘Big Voice for...